News - Google+ Hangout users can now make free phone calls

[HEXUS]

US and Canadian users can now make phone calls within a Google+ Hangout.

Read more.

[AlexKitch]

"Google is expecting an influx of new members now that the service has launched and hopes that companies, who may currently be using Skype for meetings, will jump across to use the Google+ service".

This kind of mentality is, in my opinion, Google's biggest problem.

Are Google really expecting millions of users to stop using a service (that works perfectly well) only to migrate to another service that does, essentially, exactly the same thing?

It's the same story with Google+ in general, when compared against Facebook. What exactly are you offering that compels a billion people to ditch Facebook?

Stop offering mirror alternatives and expecting them to magically be adopted as the new de-facto standard, Google. Even Microsoft have wised up to showing a *bit* more creative innovation these days.

[crossy]

Are Google really expecting millions of users to stop using a service (that works perfectly well) only to migrate to another service that does, essentially, exactly the same thing?

Well put - and don't forget that there's other similar services, not just Skype. While el Megacorp might be happy to have teleconferences done over the public phone network (mobile or fixed) I've found that there's a resistance to doing the same thing with VOIP. So Google are onto a loser unless they're also planning to sell Google+ infrastructure (VOIP in a box?).

It's the same story with Google+ in general, when compared against Facebook. What exactly are you offering that compels a billion people to ditch Facebook?

From what I've seen (as a G+ signup, but never had Farcebook) less adverts for one ... yes, I didn't believe that myself. Was looking over my daughter's shoulder the other day and I was staggered on how much advertising was being pushed.
I've also found that G+'s social features (those "circles") seem better thought through than FB's. But I'm quite happy to be told I'm wrong - especially since, as stated before, I don't have an FB account.

Is it just me being crabby, but does Google+ seem a bit of a "me too" product - one who's sole purpose is just to tick boxes ... "social media - got that; VOIP - got that; etc"?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I read it as "Google+ Hangover" for some reason!! I was like - WTF??

[Lucio]

I read it as "Google+ Hangover" for some reason!! I was like - WTF??

That's where you wake up after a particularly heavy drinking session and gone "oh sugar, what social network have I just joined??"

[miniyazz]

I read it as "Google+ Hangover" for some reason!! I was like - WTF??

Me too

[baius]

Even Microsoft have wised up to showing a *bit* more creative innovation these days.

I'm not sure buying Skype is creative - but if you say so. ;-)

Is it just me being crabby, but does Google+ seem a bit of a "me too" product - one who's sole purpose is just to tick boxes ... "social media - got that; VOIP - got that; etc"?

What's wrong with ticking boxes - especially if those boxes (well Div Tags, actually) are displayed prominently on the home page of quadrillions of users' home pages?

[AlexKitch]

I'm not sure buying Skype is creative - but if you say so. ;-)

I was referring more to their direction with Windows 8 and Windows Phone really. At least Microsoft had the sense to know that Windows Live Spaces couldn't possibly compete with Facebook and to invest their effort in working with Facebook instead.

Skype is a pretty decent acquisition, if you ask me. It's better and more reliable than Microsoft's ageing Live Messenger, and has good integration with Facebook. Skype is like a modern solution to the old NetMeeting tool.