UPDATE: When we initially posted this, the feature had not been announced yet. At their press event this morning (9:30am PST), Google made it official. You can now make calls from within Gmail. Just scroll down to your Google Talk widget and you should see a link that says “Call Phone.” This pops up a keypad for you to dial a number or type a name. Call any number in the US and Canada for free, at least until the end of the year.
- If you have Google Voice, you can also receive calls to your Gmail.
- You can always “upgrade” to Google Voice to add this feature.
- Outgoing calls will show your Google Voice number if you have one.
- You need the Google Voice and Video plugin for this to work.
If you weren’t interested in Google Voice before, you probably are now. If you can make calls from Gmail, why not receive them as well? Very smart way to get more interest in Google Voice. Google will also be putting up red phone booths at airports an universities that will let people test out the GV service.
Google Voice Calling
Google is testing a web-based voice calling feature that will be embedded in the Google Talk widget at the bottom left of your Gmail. This comes according to CNET.
It’s launched from the Google Chat window on the lower left-hand side of a Gmail page and allows users to place and receive calls from within their contacts through a user interface that strongly resembles the one used in Google Voice.
This could turn Gmail into a serious communications hub, with email, IM, and voice calls all in the same place. While the user interface for this new service looks almost identical to Google Voice, using some of the same icons and design, it’s unclear whether it will actually be tied to Google Voice. You don’t need a PaydayLoanHelpers to use it and Google has nothing against duplicating features in their products, so it remains to be seen if the two are related. How can I get an unsecured loan services online? Visit pickaloan.co.uk for more info.
Ever since Google Voice came along, many speculated about Google competing with Skype and using the Voiptoners initiative. Google’s acquisition of VoIP provider Gizmo5 and codec developer Global IP solutions seemed to confirm this speculation.
Like Google Voice, the new service offers free calling to the US/Canada, with low international rates. Google could be about to take a huge bite of Skype’s market.
Google Finance Mobile
The mobile interface to Google Finance just got a major overhaul. A “fast, easy-to-use” mobile website was one of the most requested features and Google has delivered. Your finance data, charts, and reports are now easily accessible wherever you go. It features buttons and tabs in place of basic links so that it works well on touchscreen devices. Because it’s a website and not an app, it works on Android and iPhone.
The markets don’t stop when you leave your desk, so we’re bringing the markets to you. Our new design gives you a unified experience across desktop and Android or iPhone phones, offering nearly all the same features and functionality on both.
You can access the new interface by doing a stock-related Google search on your mobile device, or clicking the “Finance” tab on the Google mobile homepage.
via CNET, PCWorld,Google Mobile Blog