Between the Lines

Larry Dignan, Andrew Nusca and Rachel King

Google: More than 1 million calls through Gmail in 24 hours

By Sam Diaz | August 26, 2010, 1:02pm PDT

Summary: Google says more than 1 million calls placed in 24 hours using Gmail’s Google Voice add-on

There was no official blog post to report the overnight success of the Google Voice integration into Gmail. But in the first 24 hours since the service launched, more than 1 million calls were placed.

The message came via a Tweet on the official company Twitter feed and linked back to yesterday’s company blog post announcing the integration of the two products. In that sense, it’s not a big announcement for the company but rather a slight nudge to the company’s 2.4 million followers on Twitter that a new free service is available to them.

Google Voice is automatically being added to Gmail accounts in the U.S. The service allows users who don’t have a Google Voice number to use the service anyway for outbound calls that show a generic Caller ID number.

The company has said that calls within the U.S. and Canada will be free at least through the end of the year, but likely longer if revenue from international calling can sustain it. Google is offering international calling at rates competitive to other VoIP-like offerings.

Also: Google’s Gmail calling: Another potential enterprise app goodie aimed at Skype

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Google Inc., Google Gmail, Google Voice, E-mail Providers, Cloud Computing, Blogging, Internet, Sam Diaz

Sam has been a technology and business blogger for more than 18 years.

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RE: Google: More than 1 million calls through Gmail in 24 hours

Just initial testing to see if it works, the numbers will drop off pretty quickly.
Loverock Davidson
26th Aug 2010
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Yes, your initial assumption may be correct...

@Loverock Davidson
however, if the tests go well, if call quality is about as good as a landline then more calls will be placed causing more users to get on board. Time will tell.
BubbaJones_
26th Aug 2010
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You're both wrong, International rates are AWESOME!

@RicD_ In fact they are great. yes if you have a contract with Vonage you might get a better deal.

I have tested this service and used extensively. Its Google Voice on Gmail. The rates are just the best! You can even use it on any cellphone, even iPhone!

Hmm, may have not taken over Verizon or ATT yet, but its just a matter of time. Would you want to pay your cell provider 2.50us/min or 0.09us/min. You do the math!
Uralbas
26th Aug 2010
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Thank you Uralbas for that information.

@Uralbas
Good to hear (pun intended) call quality is that good. At the house we still have POTS (wife refuses to give it up) and cell phones.

When friends were visiting Prague we talked with them from the computer using Skype; it was good. Other than then we have not a need for International calling.
BubbaJones_
27th Aug 2010
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Actually...

@Loverock Davidson

In my case, you are dead right. But I will still keep Google Voice on my phone. And I may use it as a last resort if I am in dire need to make a call.
Michael Kelly
26th Aug 2010
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RE: Google: More than 1 million calls through Gmail in 24 hours

@Loverock Davidson Yep, unless they were using Microsoft voice right?

Once again, you're an unqualified boob who has no credentials.
cyberslammer
27th Aug 2010
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Both Skype and Google Voice/Talk are BETTER than your Home or Cell Phone!

@Loverock Davidson If you aren't using or haven't tried Voip you have no idea how much better quality calls w/ pure digital data Internet lines are over analog. Obviously you are out of the Communications link, that all started ages ago. I've been using Voip for over 10yo and I don't have a telephone line into my new house.

If you want to see the future, go to UK. Where 3 (Three) network is pure 3G data. They have Skype phones and Skype installed on every single one of their phones that goes out the door. Now Android will and yes even WM7 and iPhone will have it because providers can't block you from accessing your email! haha....

Right now my son is in UK. He bought a "3" Phone for 25GBP ($35 w/ 10GBP credit so roughly $19). It's comes with MSN, Google Maps and Skype built in. Like even their Android phones. No doubt that in the future even MSN Live will offer Voip integrated into it's mail program. What will you say then?

Why does "3" do this? They save money because they don't have to run so many services and they know that data over the web is the future! ...so they know the bulk of their income will be coming from Data Services they are preparing for!
i2fun@...
28th Aug 2010
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Sam can you confirm

whether the voice conversations while using Google Voice are stored on Google servers?

If yes, why? What is the retention policy? Does Google use this information to profile the user and place targeted ads?

I would really not like to have a break up conversation with my girlfriend via Google voice only to see ads for eharmony, chemistry and match.com later in gmail!!

This scares me to be a serious privacy issue.
DontBeEvil
26th Aug 2010
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RE: Google: More than 1 million calls through Gmail in 24 hours

@DontSpreadLies:

Don't worry, the government is already listening to anything you say, by the NSA and without any legal warrant.
czorrilla
26th Aug 2010
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RE: Google: More than 1 million calls through Gmail in 24 hours

@czorrilla

I dont care about the government so much as Google because Google plans to make money by violating my privacy and they do that under the pretext of being not evil; all for the benefit of mankind.

Ya right...
DontBeEvil
26th Aug 2010
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People have more of a reason to fear Google

@czorrilla, than the NSA. Personally, I have begun to avoid Google at any cost.
Galactica Actual
26th Aug 2010
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You may be free to do any legal act

But that doesn't mean you are not being watch. Any person that has a website knows which site you came from where you went to, what type of OS you use, and so much more.

Apple/Microsoft/Yahoo/Facebook/MySpace/Google all have the ability to tailor this information further. But the NSA and government always know what you do.

So if you have nothing to hide, and you do right to the best of your knowledge. The fact that someone may collect information on you is irrelevant.

Personally I have been using Google Voice for over 2 years and its an awesome service, its better the Skype on Android. And it gives me the freedom to call anywhere in the World I wish to call for 25 a month or less.

But paranoia is a state of mind when someone fears someone is watching you, for all you know, your neighbor is doing that, remember Raquel Ochmonek (ALF)?

Lol, the services Google provides are great, the price is right, you and many may stay away from it. But those of us who don't fear being watched cause we do our best to do right will take advantage of the service. And most of the World will too, cause its a good service at a right price!
Uralbas
26th Aug 2010
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RE: Google: More than 1 million calls through Gmail in 24 hours

@Uralbas

You are missing a big thing in this statement

"Any person that has a website knows which site you came from where you went to, what type of OS you use, and so much more."

Any person that has a website doesnt know me, it knows an IP address that visited his site and can track that IP address visiting other sites. In Google's case since you will be logged into gmail, it can directly pin point the person behind the IP address. You may be using My Maps feature of GMaps and may have set an address as Home, so now Google knows that you live here.

With voice they can now keep track of all the conversations you are having. And the biggest thing is that it is in Google's interest to find out whom I am calling and profile me.

And seriously, unless US becomes a totalitarian regime like North Korea where big brother is indeed watching you, i am really not bothered with US government snooping around, if at all.
DontBeEvil
26th Aug 2010
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RE: Google: More than 1 million calls through Gmail in 24 hours

To the early naysayers:

My family have been using the service since yesterday, and it's great. Sound quality and everything else is fine.

Loverock Devidson is talking nonsense, I don't understand why. He might be an apple pie or future skype shareholder.
czorrilla
26th Aug 2010
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Mr. Davidson makes a logical guess

It is not unusual for people to try that which is offered free, out of curiosity alone, with no actuall plans to use.

I have noticed that humans are happy to sample the free food offered at your supermarkets, yet most continue on after taking the sample without picking up the product they just sampled.
Mister Spock
26th Aug 2010
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