14 DAY TRIAL // Google's phone call feature now built into Gmail proved remarkably popular, compared to other new products bundled with the webmail service, looking at you Google Buzz. According to Google, there were over one million phone calls placed from Gmail in the first 24 hours after the service went live.
This is even more impressive since the new feature was rolled out gradually and not all users had access to it straight away.
Also noteworthy is that the feature is only available in the US for now, at least in theory as users from around the world can access it if they have the Gmail interface language set to English (US).
"Over 1,000,000 calls placed from Gmail in just 24 hours! Thanks to everyone using this new feature," said Google in a tweet.
Google unveiled the new feature a couple of days ago, coming as less of a surprise to most people. It had been known that Google was working on just such a service and that there were plans to build VoIP functionality into Gmail.
The call feature is dead simple to use, it just requires a plugin to be installed. If you have been using the video and voice chat features in Gmail than the plugin is already installed.
A new "Call phone" link shows up in the chat section which does exactly that, it brings up a dialer which enables you to call any phone in the world from your computer. With many people having their computers already setup for voice chat, by using Skype, for example, most should be able to use the new feature straight away.
With free calls in the US and Canada, low rates for international calls and the entry barrier so low, it's no wonder that many took the opportunity to test the new feature that popped up in their email client.
If you already have a Google Voice account, it makes even more sense. Any call you receive to your Voice phone number will also 'ring' your computer. What's more, calls made from Gmail will display your Voice number to the the ones you're calling.
Also interesting is the fact that, although Google says that the new feature is only available in the US, there are no geographical restrictions. As long as the interface language is set to English (US) you will see the Call phone button. The rates however seem to vary from country to country.