Google introduced its full range of Gmail voice calling features in the US and Canada last year, enabling users there to make VoIP calls (powered by Google Voice) to any mobile number, or landline in the world. This set the stage for making Gmail, Google Talk and Google Voice – all compete directly with Skype.
The search giant has now begun to gradually roll out Google Voice in Gmail feature globally, and reports have come in of the service already starting in the UK and other territories. Users can also buy calling credit in four currencies – US and Canadian dollars, Euros, and British pounds.
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Certainly an indication of Google’s intention to roll the service out across territories, the company has also announced that the service, as an interface and web application in Gmail, will be available in 38 new languages. We wonder if the Google Talk and Google Voice standalone apps (for mobile and desktops) will be given cell phone and landline call functionality elsewhere in the world. A full-featured Google Voice on mobile could be a valuable feature for local calls.
Lastly, the service’s international call rates have been dropped further. Google Apps users will also get the feature in their Gmail, depending on if their domain administrators have Google Voice and Exchange enabled.
So, do you think VoIP calling via Gmail will make a difference to you? Are the rates appealing? Let us know what you think in the comments section below:
