Gmail Voice was announced a few days ago. I quickly installed it but have yet to try it out. Today, after recharging my cordless Skype phone, I decided to give someon a call. Here are the findings.
BTW, my victim is DK. I guess no one would entertain me with such call. Anyway, using my cordless Skype phone, I made the first call out using Gmail. Just to clarify. I am calling to Singapore and if you are calling to other countries, please check the call rate.
Gmail Voice Call
The connection sounds as though you are calling a phone locally
The quality of call is good at my side. No breakout of call. However, it doesn’t feel like a “real” call.
The party on the other line hears me well but has a feeling of hollowness or if I am talking in a very open area.
The call lasted 2 minutes plus plus.
Skype Call
The connection sounds as though you are calling an overseas call.
The quality of call is good at my side. No breakout of call. However, it doesn’t feel like a “real” call.
The party on the other line hears me well and mentioned that I sounded louder and feels like a real phone.
The call lasted less than 2 minutes.
Cost
I checked the history of Gmail Voice. I spent 3 minutes on the line and it cost me US$0.06.
I checked the history of Skype call. I spent 1:55 minutes on the line and it cost me US$0.081
Summary
Based on my side on calling the other party, I could not detect any differences in the quality. However, based on the other party, Skype seems to be a little better but both are still ok.
If we think in terms of pricing, Google Gmail Voice is cheaper.
If we think in terms of popularity, Skype definitely wins (at this moment).
If we think about convenience, Skype will win because there are apps available on phones or software on the computer itself.
So, what is your opinion?
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