Google is testing a new web-based voice-calling service. The feature is said to be integrated into the Gmail platform, thereby allowing users to easily make calls from the comfort of their mail inbox. The voice-calling feature is actually part of Google Chat, which can be found on the left side of the Gmail page. The interface apparently resembles that of Google Voice.
For quite a while, Google was rumored to be working on a Google Voice desktop-based application. The company was said to be using technologies and infrastructure obtained from its acquisition of Gizmo5 in November of 2009. However, the company delayed the launch of such application, as they began working on a HTML5 web-based application.
When asked about this new product, a Google spokesperson released the following statement:
“Google is always testing new features and products, but we have nothing specific to announce right now”
Now, it’s not completely sure whether or not this voice-calling service in Gmail is the same as Google Voice. Both services do have many similarities such as the icons that indicate which calls were received or missed.
Google Voice-Calling Preview:
via CNET
