Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Google Voice: Making a call

Google Voice

I received my Google Voice invitation recently. On July 6, 2009, I setup my account. I've wanted to use it to make a call for a while, but just never got around to it. I needed to call my dad who is out of the country, so I used it as T-Mobile charges me $1.49/minute! Plus I believe I get docked my phone minutes as well. Here is what I did.

Making a call This is really simple, first you click on the Call icon and then start typing the name or the number of the person you wish to call. As Google Voice is integrated with your Gmail account, any numbers you have stored in your G1 phone contacts will be accessible. I chose my Dad from the list of numbers that appear as you start to type.



You can then choose the phone you've set up to ring using Google Voice or choose a different number. You may have the system remember your choice by checking a checkbox. Click the Connect button to make your call.

The phone you designate to ring will do so. When you answer it, it tells you how much credit you have and the cost per minute of your call. You can also view your balance on screen.

It's that easy. What do you think?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey, Can you explain in more detail how you made the call?

CateyBeth said...

I have a Google Voice account that was migrated from Google's online voicemail system GrandCentral. I've had a GrandCentral number for quite awhile and use it often as a secondary number.

But for actual PC-to-Phone calling, you simply can't beat the price or the available platforms of Skype. They currently have a rate plan of $2.95/mo for unlimited calls from your Skype account to landlines and mobile phones in the U.S. If you pay for several months or a year at a time, the rate is even cheaper. And I love the fact that I can use Skype on my Asus EEE netbook OR my wifi-conneced Palm Pro.