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Making Free Phone Calls With Google's GrandCentral

Posted by timothy on from the you-will dept.

andrewmin writes with an enthusiastic pitch for Google's closed-beta call-aggregation service called GrandCentral, for which we non-beta-testers can at least reserve a number. Specifically, he's using GrandCentral in combination with Gizmo5 to make free VoiP calls. Excerpted: "Most of the time, I'm at my computer. Or near it. And if I had an internet device like a Nokia N810 or an iPod Touch, I'd have it with me 24/7. And since most of the time I'm at a place where there's a WiFi network, it makes sense for me to use VoIP rather than a regular phone line. ... I'm talking about making and receiving calls that are completely free (that is, $0.00/minute) forever (that is, no 30-day demo) for as much as you want (that is, no 30-day trial or five hour/week limit)."

6 of 144 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Not available outside the US ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Step 1: Start your own -based Google
    Step 2: Offer free telephone call service not available outside <FOREIGN COUNTRY>
    Step 3: ???
    Step 4: PROFIT!!

  2. Re:Not available outside the US ... by urcreepyneighbor · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So much for 95% of the world ... So fucking what?!

    I don't go to Japanese sites expecting freebies from Japanese companies for my American ass.

    If it is in Google's interest to offer this product/service to <insert your country>, they will.

    It's like the Japanese video game market. A ton of crap gets dumped in the Japanese market, because most of the companies are a) in Japan, b) it's cheaper and easier to test a new game in a local market - before potentially pissing away money on a failure.
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    "The fight for freedom has only just begun." - Geert Wilders
  3. Re:Only Free?!? PAY US for info harvested from cal by quickgold192 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Gmail *does* pay you - with a free email account.

  4. Re:Not available outside the US ... by sumdumass · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I guess the point of wanting a local area code is so that it isn't long distance for everyone that you are likely to give the number out too.

    Could you imagine, Hey this is my new number that will be able to contact me anywhere I am at, you just have to call california at 10-15 cents a minute or more. but you can reach me at that number.

  5. Re:Not available outside the US ... by Max+von+H. · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Some of the rest of the world already has free VoIP, though. For instance, ~50% of French households have broaband, and the typical monthly fee of 30 bucks includes free VoIP (and numeric TV). Not only that, but the calls are free when calling no less than about 50 countries, US included. With some providers, you can can connect to your number through SIP from basically anywhere and place calls for free. Wish I had that here in Canada, where I get charged long distance whenever I call out of city limits.

    --
    -- It's always darker before it goes pitch black.
  6. Re:Not available outside the US ... by Ox0065 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Really?

    I thought it was because they couldn't be 'bothered' doing the translation, & didn't really value anyone else's opinion anyway.
    Perhaps that sums up the (USof) American problem too.

    I want to know how this relates to android. Live WiFi to GSM handoff anyone? cough from da good ol US of A?

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    thx e