GizmoCall tries to make cheap VoIP calls easy

Correction: An earlier version of this story did not appropriately credit the image used. Tom Keating from TMCnet had taken the screen shot of the GizmoCall dial pad. Keating also reviewed the GizmoCall service here. A new image from GizmoCall has been added to this story.

A new low-cost voice over Internet Protocol service started by serial entrepreneur Michael Robertson promises to provide cheap phone calls without requiring any software to be downloaded.

(Credit: GizmoCall)

The service, called GizmoCall, launched this week. Unlike Skype, which requires users to download a software client to use the service, GizmoCall is Flash-based, requiring nothing more than a browser. Users simply go to the Web site, sign up for a username and password, and start making calls.

Just like other VoIP services, the allure of GizmoCall is that it provides free and low-cost calling. Free calls can be made to other GizmoCall users and to Gizmo5 users. Gizmo5 is a version of the same service that requires a software client and also provides other features, such as instant messaging.

But what is cool about GizmoCall is that it also allows users to make free calls to toll-free numbers and Session Initiation Protocol addresses. SIP is used to enable telephone calls to be made over the Internet. Using a SIP address, which consists of a username and domain name, enables people to make and receive phone calls all over the world. Services like Net2Max provide SIP addresses and can even help people forward SIP calls to their Skype user accounts.

GizmoCall also allows people to call traditional phones and cell phones for low rates. And for a fee, users can also accept calls. But users have to be signed into the service to accept calls. The service works on all browsers running on Mac, Windows, or Linux operating systems.

I tried the service on Tuesday to see how it compares to other services, such as Skype. For the most part, the call quality was comparable to Skype.

I made a quick free call using a toll-free number, and it was fine. But adding money to my GizmoCall account so I could call regular phones was not so easy. I followed the instructions to add $10 to my account using my credit card. Two hours later, my account was still at zero, even though the service had accepted my credit card.

I've had similar credit issues with other VoIP services. I was told by one VoIP company that there is a lot of fraud associated with these services, so everyone is very careful to verify orders. But as a legitimate user trying to use the service, it was just annoying.

I suppose that the service is useful for someone who doesn't want to download software onto his computer. But I didn't really find the service or any feature compelling enough to ditch Skype. The holy grail of VoIP services is finally creating a service that enables free calls to anyone, including traditional phones and cell phones. Until that happens, most of these services seem the same to me.

[gokuro72]

You should also mention that Gizmo works with Google's GrandCentral product. For those who got a number from GC when the beta was open you get free calling from GC to Gizmo for inbound calls.

[ducttape36]

imagine if the ipod touch had flash, then youd have a cheap iphone!

[icallarlo]

You can also visit: http://www.icall.com/free-phone-calls/

Free PC to Phone calls with no download... Gizmo is a joke.

[Maggie Reardon]

I checked out iCall. The problem with this service is that the call is free, but it only lasts about 3 minutes and then you're cut off. Also, I couldn't figure out how to use the service without downloading a client. And when I made the call, I had to listen to an advertisement. What's more the service only works for the U.S. and Canada. While this is a start, I already have a cell phone and home phone plan that offers me cheap voice minutes domestically. And it's a lot more convenient than talking from my PC. What's more, what I'm really looking for is a service that can provide me with really cheap or free calling to Europe and other parts of the world.

[Dave_J]

try out Raketu, with or without download. And their browser webphone is great. Lowest cost too. www.Raketu.com

[teh_chrizzle]

gizmo uses SIP which is an open standard. that means you can call any sip address, not just gizmo users. this includes "traditional" voip providers like viatalk and phonegnome as well as the providers listed here:

http://www.sipbroker.com/sipbroker/action/providerWhitePages

skype is a closed protocol and while they have tons of users, you have to use skype approved hardware and software or use a bunch of crufty and sometimes unreliable workarounds.

you run into this a lot with VOIP providers, they want everyone to use their services and try to lock others out. all it really does is create walled gardens and drive everyone to use the PSTN, which VOIP is supposed to free us from.

[paulej]

Since it is running as a Flash application in the browser, then the protocol used from the PC to the backend is entirely proprietary. From there, any protocol could be used. Further, why would an end-user care what protocol his or her service provider is using? It's not as if you're going to somehow hook in your own gearsomewhere. If you did, you would do it at an API level, not as a SIP protocol level.

[johntpublic]

Marguerite,
You misdirected your credit for the GizmoCall graphic. It was taken from http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/tom-keating/voip/gizmocall-another-flash-voip-player.asp, as proven by the fact that you have someone else's username pasted in your graphic. Your content looks original, but you might want to re-attribute that graphic.

[informationmadness]

I am not sure why you didn't like Gizmo. There are so many reasons you can ditch Skype over Gizmo.
-The fact that you can use Gizmo with your ATA and wire your whole house for VoIP calls.
-You can use Gizmo + IPKall to Receive Free Incoming Calls from anywhere in the world, even from regular phones. (you can't do that for free with Skype)
- You get all the features of your regular phones, Free conference calls and much more with Gizmo.
- Gizmo can be used from the browser, PC, Mobile.. .what else do you want?

[makossa]

GizmoCall is not the first service to do this, there is a service named Ultrra.com from a small California startup called WideMotion. They were first to launch several months ago. Their service is based on ActiveX and works with I.E (www.ultrra.com)

[satishpalkar]

Hey guys, did you check out Reliance iCall ,the latest VoIP service from Reliance? All I had to do was to register on their website http://www.relianceicall.com/ and then I started calling friends living as far apart as US and Africa. To my surprise, the voice quality was amazing and we guys had a virtual blast. I heard that this service is available free upto the 15th of Jan so I better start hooking up fast with long lost friends!

[satishpalkar]

Hey guys, I have great news for Reliance Global Call users this Holi. They have slashed their calling rates to as low as 3.5 cents/min and are also offering upto 2300 mins free talk time as an addon. Can you beat that!!!

[RajeshMat2]

Hey guys Reliance has come out with a great offer this time. They are giving back 50% talktime for using their service. Hurry up the offer ends on the 6th April, 2009. Sign up on their website http://www.relianceindiacall.com

[ChetanyaMehra]

Reliance Global Call has come out with a new offer for easter season. Reliance has lowered its india calling rates by 2 cents without compromising on the call quality at all. Thats not all they are also offering a slew of offers like refer a friend and others. For more details on the same visit www.relianceglobalcall.com