Update (25 Aug 11:38am) : OK, found out why I was only able to make that one single 8″45 free call to my friend in Vancouver, Canada. The answer was right in front of Gizmo’s front page too. Each new account user gets a 25 cents (US?) free credit to try out the Gizmo to conventional phone quality. After that, one must purchase more credits to make calls to conventional phones.
Although Gizmo can be used to call other VoIP and SIPphone systems, some for free, some with charges depending on how the middle of the line is setup, I still haven’t found a way to send and receive calls to Google Talk. Gizmo has some pros and cons over Google Talk.
Plus – Gizmo can record calls and assign subject title to each recorded calls for future references. It has a way to call many other VoIP systems as well as conventional and cell phones. Sign up for the service and installation of the client is very simple – even more so than Google Talk where Gizmo accepts new account applications instantly right on the client and Google Talk requires a gmail account which may still be by invitation only.
Cons – Gizmo takes much too long to login to the system after a logout whereas Google Talk’s login is almost instantaneous. Gizmo has no link to your email client whereas Google Talk in linked to your gmail account and can be accessed with just a touch of a button. Google Talk also has live typed messages along with the voice call at the same time making it easier for dual media communications.
Update (25Aug 02:13am) : While I have no other Gizmo members that I can call to at this moment, I made a call to my friend’s mobile phone who currently resides in Vancouver, Canada. The first attempt got disconnected as soon as my friend answered his mobile phone. The second call worked so well that it was connected much faster than the conventional mobile to mobile long distance call and clearer reception as well! It ended with a message saying my call requires a call credit account after about 8 min 45 sec of a free call! I haven’t been able to reconnect again at this moment and it’s getting late. Will try more tomorrow.
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Upon Tin’s recommendation I have tried Google Talk momentarily. It’s great but it doesn’t have a Mac client.
Here is Gizmo. And according to MacSlash, Gizmo is supposed to “interoperates with other VoIP clients and messaging protocols (including the new Google Talk)”. What’s more, while Gizmo is also free with a PC version it does also have a free Mac version which I am currently downloading.
We’ll see how Gizmo works.
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