One of the most requested feature on Google Hangouts has perhaps been voice calling and Google has listened to the public demand. Starting now, Google is offering free voice calling to the US and Canada. Calling other Hangout users is also free similar to that on Skype and Viber , while international calling rates are also considerably cheap. The full rates can be checked here.
Users currently using Google Voice will find that it has also been integrated more closely with Hangouts. Calls made from Hangouts will show your Google Voice number. Hangouts will also support sending and receiving Google Voice SMS, appearing in Hangouts as conversations.
The new Google Voice features will work with Hangouts for Android, iOS and web app. They should start rolling out in the coming weeks. You will need the latest 2.3 version of Hangouts along with accompanying dialer to turn on voice calls. On iOS, voice calls will be available the next time you open the app.
With this move, Google has taken the competition over to Skype and other competitors. We’ll see what they have got to respond with hopefully in the coming days.
