Google Enables Gmail-to-Phone Calling

You now have a new way to make phone calls: Gmail. Google has integrated Google Voice into Gmail, allowing for free telephone calls to any U.S. or Canadian phone from your Web browser. You’ll also be able to receive calls via Gmail and use your Google Voice contacts book. You’ll see a “Call Phone” function at the top of your chat list, and will be able to enter in a phone number or a contact’s name.

Google will keep U.S./Canadian calls free through the end of the year and hopes to continue to keep them free after that. International calls will be charged at rates as low as $0.02 per minute.

Google will be rolling the new feature out to Gmail users in the U.S. over the next few days. Keep your eye out for the “Call Phone” function and read Google’s blog post for more information.