Gizmo Call

Last year I compared Gizmo Project and Skype, two VoIP (voice over IP) services that offered free calls to computers and some domestic phones and inexpensive international calls. The competition has been heating up, but Skype continues to have a larger market share.

That may all change with Gizmo Call, the latest product from Gizmo Project. Gizmo Call requires no software, no registration, and no money. And it’s dead easy to use. This is exactly what I want in a calling service.

Unlike Gizmo’s traditional service that requires you to download and install their program, Gizmo Call works entirely within the Web page. You have to insall a small Flash plug-in, but this is just part of your browser and doesn’t affect the rest of your system. Also, like all Internet telephone services, you’ll need a microphone and speakers to talk.

As you can see from the screen shot, you just need to type in a plus sign and a phone number with its country and area code and click call. That’s it. Like I said, dead easy. So if I wanted to call the number 555-5555 in New York City, I would type “+1 212 555 5555.” Gizmo Call gives you five minutes of free domestic calls every day, even if you aren’t registered with Gizmo. They give you 10 minutes free if you register with the site. And you always get free calls to other Gizmo users, GTalk users, 1-800 numbers, SIP phones, and certain wifi phones.

If you’ve been reluctant to try Internet phone before, now is the time to give it a try. No installation, no registration, and no money. Now that’s the kind of Internet phone I want. Gizmo Call is a well-deserved addition to Best of the Web.