EDIT: I edited this topic heading - I'm hoping to find out if anyone can find out if an American using his or her Gmail account can make this work in Europe. I hoping so - I think will be handy on this trip, as my cell phone (Verizon CDMA) will not work, and I didn't feel like bothering to get anything else. It will be interesting to see how the connection is from Europe. Today I called my daughter in Minneapolis from Gmail and the sound quality was great. Has anyone currently in Europe tried it out?
Posted by
Snohomish, Wa
7 posts
Like you, I wasn't planning to use a phone on my trip to Germany in a few weeks. I just installed the google plugin though, and will test it on my system tommorow from the US. There must be someone in Europe that can test from there now. Even so, I don't really know who I'd bother to call while I'm on vacation.
Posted by
CA, USA
333 posts
You might have a problem as it has only been released to North America and I haven't heard of anyone trying to call from Europe to the US yet to see if it will work. I imagine it validates location via IP address. You can always get a proxy program for it and I'm sure a work around will be posted within the next couple of days.
Posted by
OP
Duluth 🛶
7925 posts
I was wondering about that - I've done some checking but haven't seen anything so far. That's why I was hoping there was someone in Europe who is traveling from the US that could check it out for me. :)
Posted by
Las Cruces, NM, United States
136 posts
There was just an article on Gadling where they tested it inflight but they noted it was only for the US and Canada. ** http://www.gadling.com/2010/08/27/how-to-make-free-calls-from-a-plane-using-google-voice-and-gmail/
Posted by
Gangelt, Germany
101 posts
I just successfully installed it, but haven't tried it. It doesn't seem to have an IP filter, but we'll see. I'll give it a try in the next couple of days and let you know...
Posted by
OP
Duluth 🛶
7925 posts
Thanks - if I have to, I can always use Skype but this is a lot more convenient and cheaper.
Posted by
Gangelt, Germany
101 posts
Not sure if anyone else has tried, but my attempts have been unsuccessful. A voice recording tells me the call can't be completed, but not why.
Posted by
OP
Duluth 🛶
7925 posts
Well, I'm leaving today for Europe so I'll try it when I get over there and see if it works.
Posted by
St. Louis, MO USA
1976 posts
Mardee - Skype to Skype is free and it's available internationally.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Besides free Skype-to-Skype calling, their international rates are comparable to G-Mail's....about 2 cents/minute from Europe back to the U.S.
Posted by
CA, USA
333 posts
I have heard rumours that if your gmail is set to English-US then the Google Voice will work overseas. A few people are reporting success when they make the change from English-UK
Posted by
Cape Ann, Massachusetts
3334 posts
My daughter calls me for free from her computer to our landline through her gmail. She is in London. These gmail calls are free. The voice is clear and concise. She is quite happy with it as she only has a cell phone there. And while we use Skype video often, this is handy also.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Yes, use it while you can...the free calls end December 31st