Now make calls to any mobile, landline phones through Gmail

In order to use this feature, users have to sign in to their Gmail account. It also requires them to download and set up the voice and video browser plug-in.

According to Schriebman, a software engineer at Google, "During in house trials We've have found this feature to be quite useful in a number of situations, from making a call when you're in an area with bad reception, to making a quick call to the local grocery shop ".

About the feature
This feature is located in Gmail chat client, which is to the left of inbox. A tiny phone icon is present there.

If one presses it, a dialer opens up in the Gmail window. Two tabs are there at the top of the dialing tool. The first tab is for the dialer itself. The second is a small clock, which reveals the call history.

One can dial numbers either through mouse or the number keys on your keypad. Users also type names and the dialer will surf through your contacts instantly. Once one finds the required number, he should press the big "Call" tab at the base. Calls connect pretty swiftly.

Google said the new service would work well for users in a spot with poor cell phone reception or people making a quick call from their computer, according to The Times.

The service uses computer's mic and speakers. The call quality is reasonably good although the voice feels a bit subdued and ‘digital’. Users can also choose to attach a headset to their machine to make calls more private.

At the end of the call, Gmail provides you the facility to rate the quality of the call from one to three stars.

Free or low cost service initially
All calls in the United States and Canada will be free at least for the first year. Calls to countries like Britain, Germany, France, Japan, China, and many others can cost as little as two cents per minute.

To promote this new service, Google will install red phone booths having a traditional rotary phone linked to the gmail phone service. These will be put at airports and universities across the United States.

The service is indeed an upgrade from Skype, which allows only free calls to other Skype users.

A Google spokesperson said it will be free for at least a year and that there is a good chance that they will keep it free.

Gmail has been offering voice and video chat for two years, but both parties need to be at their computers.

Google said the new service would work well for users in a spot with poor cell phone reception or people making a quick call from their computer, according to The Times.

In sum, it is simple, easy and it works. It may not replace the mobile phone but people will certainly use it.