If you use Gmail or Google+ Hangouts, you can call any U.S. or
Canadian phone number for free...on your computer, smartphone or tablet. You need Internet access, a
microphone, and speakers. Depending on your system and setup, you may
need to install a plugin found at
http://www.google.com/chat/voice/. (Calling to other countries is available, but
incurs costs.)
Placing a call from your Gmail account takes just three steps:
1. Click the “Call Phone” icon in the Chat window displayed in your Gmail.
Call a phone from Gmail chat
2. Type the 10-digit U.S. or Canadian number to call in the “Search or Dial” box.
Enter the 10-digit phone number
3. Click “Call”.
It is that Simple...try it ;-)
Hangout
You can also include a phone-only user in a Google+ Hangout. Start
your Hangout as usual, and add your Google+ participants. To add the
phone-only user, click the “+telephone” option, and then enter their
phone number. When you click “Hangout” they’ll receive a phone call and
will join the Hangout with an audio-only connection. Google+ obscures
portions of their phone number, which is especially useful if you’re
doing a Hangout on Air.
Include a ‘phone-only’ user in a Google+ Hangout
If you’ll be making a lot of phone calls from your computer, I suggest a headset. I recommend
behind-the-ears models, which look slightly less nerdy than traditional above-the-head models. I prefer headsets that can plug in
either
with the two separate audio and microphone connections or with a single
USB port. These types of headsets tend to work with a wide range of
computer systems. Chromebook users can simply use
a smartphone headset.
Google Voice
To receive incoming calls, you’ll need to upgrade to a free
Google Voice account.
With a Google Voice account, you’ll receive your own phone number. You
can configure calls to that number to ring both in Google Chat and on
your cellphone.
Upgrading to Google Voice lets you receive incoming calls
Gmail and Google Voice calling can be quite handy in a pinch.Try it today!
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