Early today I made a post about Google testing out a web-based telephone feature that would allow you to make calls straight from the Gmail interface. Well, according to Google’s Official Blog that application is a go – starting today!
With Google Chat and Video you can now make and receive phone calls right from your Gmail contacts list. Google Voice users will have their Google Voice number appear as their outbound caller ID number. Voice and Chat will be more convienent than just Voice because you do not have to wait for the person you are trying to reach to get to a computer, calls can go straight to their phones. All calls in the U.S. and Canada will be free and international rates are starting at $0.02.
The Google Talk plugin will have to be installed in order for Voice and Chat to work and no all Gmail users will see the option for Voice and Chat immediately; the new feature will be released to users over the next few days, so hold tight.
Well, I can't see really what benefits it offers over Skype which works very well and is free for PC to PC calls.
I just looked at Google Voice a couple days ago and at the moment they are still offering FREE service. You get your own 10 digit phone # with your area code and you can even use it as a Business Line.