Making phone calls via Google/Gmail. Have you done it?

[tilsammans]

If so, how well does it work? It certainly sounds intriguing.

Thanks for your thoughts!

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1. No. Skype.

We video conference to China and Russia, UK, on Skype for free.

[tilsammans]

2. Thanks, but I can't Skype at the moment

Haven't got a webcam, nor do most of my friends. That's not to say we won't do it at some time in the future.
:hi:

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3. Don't need a camera; that's just an extra

I skype all the time and I don't have a camera.

Shoot, I wouldn't want a camera, the way my room looks.

[tilsammans]

4. Thanks! I did not know that.

Didn't know a camera wasn't necessary. So it's free of charge to both parties? (I'm currently unemployed, so no buckage to fork over at present.)

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5. Totally free

No fees.

Skype to skype, or course, so you need to have skype at both ends.

You can call from Skype to a regular phone, but that does cost.

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6. I use it like this:

I have a google number, will probably have more than one at some point. But I don't make calls through it, so to speak. I use that number for telemarketers or on web forms that require a number or for craigslist. When someone calls it, I have it forward to my cell. When I want to reply to that call, I go to google voice and "call" back through that system. The person I'm calling or responding to only sees my google number. No one ever sees my real cell number. When I call out, it rings my cell and then connects the call. I always have the option of sending any particular number to a custom google voice mail when I don't want to be contacted by that person any longer. Great service.

I saw a report tonight, local news I think, on how it can be used from your computer alone to call other phones. Haven't tried this feature yet, since I don't have a microphone attached to my pc.

If google voice would offer call forwarding for ported-in numbers, I'd transfer my cell number to it, and manage calls that way. But as it is, in my experience, I friggin' love it - great free service.

[tilsammans]

7. Great advice!

Thanks! I haven't tried any of these (Skype, Google, etc.) yet, but the thought is appealing. I have very bare-bones Verizon calling plans for landline and cell service, and I'd like to have more options for peak calling times.