Now you can place calls to phones from Google+ Hangouts.
Video chatting in Hangouts is busting out of Google Plus.
Video calls among two or more Google Plus users was the big draw when Hangouts launched, but now Google has flipped the switch the allow Google Plus users to make phone calls to almost any phone number, not just within the Google Plus ecosystem. That means that users will be able, for example, place a voice call from their computers and reach friends or family on their land line or cell phone.
Calls to phone numbers in the U.S. and Canada are free, and callers can buy credit to dial out to international lines.
To place a call, click the "Invite" button in Hangouts, then the "+telephone" link. After entering the number, hit "add." The dialer currently stores on number at a time. The feature is not compatible with Hangouts on mobile apps.
The Google Voice platform powers the entire operation, though the feature bears the Google Plus Hangouts name. You can similarly place calls to land lines and mobile phones using Google Voice's integration into Gmail.
Calling out with Hangouts is a third high-profile experimental feature that Google has pulled into the mainstream product, along with screensharing and support for Google Docs.
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