Google Voice Talk

Gizmo5, the VOIP service has added support for Google Voice this weekend.  Gizmo5 has now a Google Voice Calling section within the member account section.  Previously, Gizmo5 members needed to call their Gizmo5 number using their Google Voice number using a separate application.  Now, the Gizmo5 application allows for direct calls to your contacts with Google Voice showing as your caller ID.  Best of all, no callout credits are required.

It sparks interest why a VOIP provider in competition with Google Voice would allow for such direct dial using a Google Voice account.  It’s possible this collaboration might be padded by compensation by Google or they’re sweetening their service as a possible Google aquisition.

How does it work?  Many of you may not have even heard of Gizmo5 which is a VOIP service that allows for unlimited incoming calls.  If you’re experienced with Google Voice, you’ll recall that when you hit the call button within your Google Voice account, it calls your phone acting as a switchboard to initiate a call between you and your contact.  So in reality, your outgoing Google Voice calls start out as an incoming call.  Gizmo5 just made it a whole lot easier to get free calls by integrating Google Voice into their members account area.

This means that (1) now, you don’t even need to have a physical landline or mobile phone to use Google Voice.

This also means (2) direct dial from Gizmo5.  Previous to this change, users of Gizmo5 needed to dial their Gizmo5 number from their Google Voice account by use of a thrid party application.  Now, the Gizmo5 application allows for direct calls to Gizmo5 contacts with the Google Voice number showing as the caller ID.  Best of all, no call out credits are required.

Adding Google Voice as an option sparks interest as to why a VOIP provider, previously seen as competing with Google Voice, would allow for use with Google Voice.  It’s possible this collaboration might be padded by compensation by Google.  Another theory is that Google may be examining Gizmo5 as a possible Google acquisition.

Gizmo5 has been an up and coming player in the VOIP field, competing with Vonage, Skype and magicJack.  Currently, Skype does not allow for validation of Google Voice numbers meaning it doesn’t support having your Caller ID show up as your Google Voice number when making outbound calls.