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You can now make calls with Google Hangouts

Lewis Leong

Lewis Leong

  • Updated:

When Google introduced Hangouts during its I/O developer conference, it seemed that the company would be rolling together all of its chat services into one. However, Google Voice, the seemingly abandoned texting, calling, and voicemail transcription service didn’t really get any love. In fact, it was removed from Gmail altogether. That changes today as Google has brought back calling with Hangouts for Gmail and the web.

Free Hangouts to Hangouts calling is only available to US and Canada at the moment, but that could change in the future. Google still offers international calling rates, which are competitive with services like Skype.

You can now make calls with Google Hangouts

Google didn’t just bring calling back to Gmail, but has added more features as well. You can now now initiate a call with multiple numbers and even add video chats. This means you can use sound effects like applause or a laugh track, with the Google Effects app. Calls can be imitated within Google+ or Gmail by clicking the phone button.

hangouts calling

The feature will be rolling out over the next couple of days so it may be a while before you see it. There’s no word about the future of the Google Voice app for Android or if calling will come to the Android Hangouts app.

[Source: Official Gmail Blog]

Lewis Leong

Lewis Leong

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