Google Testing Voice Calling Feature Directly In Gmail

Word is going around that Google could be gearing up to turn its Gmail service into a communications hub by allowing users to make phone calls directly from the Google Chat interface. If the rumors are true, Google is already testing a Web-based service within Gmail that will allow users to launch the service from the Google Chat window on the lower left-hand side of the Gmail page, allowing them to place and receive calls with their contacts via a user interface similar to that of Google Voice. Whether such a service will appear in the near future remains to be seen, but Google has been edging to get a bigger piece of the VoIP pie recently, especially with the recent acquisition of Gizmo5 which should significantly bolster the company’s VoIP know-how.