Google Voice And Call Phones From Gmail: What It Means For You (update: CRTC response)

By on August 30th, 2010 11

So, let’s talk about Google Voice. This is the service Google came out with a while back. It lets you have a central “Google number” that’s linked to all your phones, one voicemail that you can check online and tons of enhanced call features like free text messaging.

Unfortunately, Google Voice is currently only available in the US and while they have a beautiful Android app to go along with it, we don’t get to use it. Recently however, they released Call Phones From Gmail. Although this feature is somewhat tied to Voice, I was extremely excited when I found that I too can call phones from Gmail right from my very own Canadian Gmail account.

They’re letting you make calls to Canada and the US for FREE until at least the end of 2010. Very cheap international rates are also another thing they’re advertising but sadly, without a Google Voice account, there doesn’t seem to be a way to purchase more credit. (However, I’ve managed to get to this page two times! Before it telling me I need to be in the US once I clicked a link. Anyone else?)

I was one of the people fortunate enough to have this roll out to my account immediately (I hear they like people who test out all their apps in beta.) So, immediately I started making calls from my desktop at home and was quite impressed with the voice quality. Very crisp and natural sounding but callers complained when I moved into a noisy room on my side so it’s something to be aware of.

The reason I finally decided to write about: Voice is very nicely tied into Android and many times I have heard people say that it is the definite killer Android app for them. Hey, we eventually got Google Maps Navigation so I think it’s just a matter of time. So Google, if you’re reading this, we wanna play with Voice too! Right guys?

Update: Thanks to our commenters, I now know that the CRTC is to mostly blame for us not seeing Google Voice in Canada right now. I went ahead and contacted them. They gave me a generic ” The CRTC is continually working to help technologies like Skype-In and Google Voice become available in Canada.” I insisted to get a few more answers out of them but I have a feeling they’re not calling me back on this one. So there you have it.

[Google]

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  • Guendril

    I’ve tried google voice on gmail to and i really find it interresting. But, i can’t wait to try it on my android i just imagine myself on a wifi making unlimited free call in canada and usa from my cellphone.

  • Garnet Ulrich

    Try calling the CRTC and asking for a lifting of some of the 911 restrictions that prevent VoIP services like Google’s from being offered. Just ask the CRTC to work with Google.

  • Anonymous

    It’s been a really long wait for Voice.
    While I might use the Gmail phone feature a little, I’ve been looking forward to the “one number” concept of Voice for a year now. But now that I have an Android, the wait has become almost unbearable.

  • None

    Pedram,
    Google is NOT the one preventing Google Voice, Try the CRTC.
    Go to the CRTC website and read about E911, and you’ll understand why Google Voice is not available in Canada yet.

  • Brandonfoxx83

    I waited MONTHS before I got an invitation to Google Voice only to find a nice little message saying that Google Voice is only available in the United States… booo!!!

  • http://bryantran.myopenid.com/ Bryan

    Pedram, I got a cool solution for you that I found worked out for me.
    Google Voice allows only Canadian numbers from the 403 Calgary area code, something I believe they have overlooked. But unfortunately for me, I live in the Edmonton 780/587 area. FreePhoneLine is an online service that lets you create a 403 number if you live in BC, Alberta, Ontario or Quebec. I used it and now I have a 403 number.

    The next bit is a tad tricky. You have to hide your Canadian IP somehow and get on google.com/voice and signup with your 403 number.

    Everything checked out for me, and now I have free SMS on my phone through Wifi. ;)

  • DAvid

    @donsmi: any number of VOIP suppliers will provide the service on “one Number” for a very small monthly fee. If this option truly has value to you, why not pay a small fee? You can get Canadian numbers, numbers in other locations and Toll-free DIDs with relative ease. You could even get an iNum, and be freed from geographic-based area codes.

    @Guendril: There are a number of Voip providers offering unlimited calling in North America for free or a small fee. You should be able to find one that meets your needs.

    There are lots of options out there that provide the functionality of Google Voice & more. I wonder how Google benefits from mining your data?

    DAvid

  • http://www.4r4nd0mninj4.ca/ 4r4nd0mninj4

    This is really sweet. Just tether your cell phone to your laptop for free* calling! By free I mean using cheep data instead of expensive cell minuets. I have been using this setup with Toktumi’s desktop client for over a month now and it’s awesome! I can’t wait for the Android version of Line2 to come out!

  • http://twitter.com/pedram13 Pedram Abarham

    Great tip! I’ll try it out this afternoon if I get a chance.

  • jmad

    I’m From TO and been using Google voice from GMAIL for 3 weeks now and it’s pretty good. I call #s and long distance rates are cheaper than Skype. Only issues when calling overseas sometimes it just rings but the other side nothing happens, so it is not without faults.

  • Bezter

    abolish the CRTC (Canadian Radio and TV Cartel).