14 DAY TRIAL // It has been obvious for quite a while that Google is working on something big with Google Voice. While the service is very useful as it is, it’s not even out of private beta yet and the best features are still to come. Currently, to use Google Voice, you need an actual phone to make the calls. But, soon enough, you’ll be able to make calls on your computer right from inside Gmail.
The Google Operating System blog came across a very interesting screenshot of what the phone-call gadget in Gmail would look like and has a few details on how it will work. The small window is very similar to the chat window in Gmail, which has actually just been updated. It has a dialpad, a way to search through your contacts and shows how many credits you have left. During the actual call, it also features a timer.
There's nothing spectacular about the feature itself, but what it means for Google is very important. Basically, the company is filling the last gaps and turning Google Voice intro a complete VoIP solution to compete with the best of them. Right now, Google Voice allows you to have a single phone number regardless of what phone you're using, mobile, landline, at work, or at home. You can initiate a call from your computer, but you still have to use an actual phone.
However, there have been very solid rumors that Google is working on a softphone to completely bypass the phone companies. The company acquired softphone maker Gizmo5 late last year and it was pretty obvious what it had in mind. In this context, the phone-call widget for Gmail looks very probable.
When all is said and done, Google Voice will be a first-of-its-kind service. It will have all the advantages of a VoIP service like Skype, low cost, ease of use, but also most of the advantages of having an actual phone service.