Making Free Phone Calls With Google's GrandCentral 144
andrewmin writes with an enthusiastic pitch for Google's closed-beta call-aggregation service called GrandCentral, for which we non-beta-testers can at least reserve a number. Specifically, he's using GrandCentral in combination with Gizmo5 to make free VoiP calls. Excerpted: "Most of the time, I'm at my computer. Or near it. And if I had an internet device like a Nokia N810 or an iPod Touch, I'd have it with me 24/7. And since most of the time I'm at a place where there's a WiFi network, it makes sense for me to use VoIP rather than a regular phone line. ... I'm talking about making and receiving calls that are completely free (that is, $0.00/minute) forever (that is, no 30-day demo) for as much as you want (that is, no 30-day trial or five hour/week limit)."
Re:Not available outside the US ... (Score:1, Insightful)
Step 2: Offer free telephone call service not available outside <FOREIGN COUNTRY>
Step 3: ???
Step 4: PROFIT!!
Re:Not available outside the US ... (Score:5, Insightful)
I don't go to Japanese sites expecting freebies from Japanese companies for my American ass.
If it is in Google's interest to offer this product/service to <insert your country>, they will.
It's like the Japanese video game market. A ton of crap gets dumped in the Japanese market, because most of the companies are a) in Japan, b) it's cheaper and easier to test a new game in a local market - before potentially pissing away money on a failure.
Re:Only Free?!? PAY US for info harvested from cal (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Not available outside the US ... (Score:3, Insightful)
Could you imagine, Hey this is my new number that will be able to contact me anywhere I am at, you just have to call california at 10-15 cents a minute or more. but you can reach me at that number.
Re:Not available outside the US ... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Not available outside the US ... (Score:2, Insightful)
I thought it was because they couldn't be 'bothered' doing the translation, & didn't really value anyone else's opinion anyway.
Perhaps that sums up the (USof) American problem too.
I want to know how this relates to android. Live WiFi to GSM handoff anyone? cough from da good ol US of A?