A new app, called Gmail Voice and Video Chat, was launched yesterday by Google. This app allows a user to make voice and video calls to another land-line phone or mobile phone, right from the Gmail console. The most impressive aspect about this new app, is the cheaper tariffs it offers, when compared to regular mobile network operator tariffs.

Until now, people could use this Google video chat app, only from computer to computer. Plus, this required both parties to be signed into their Gmail accounts too. But now, a person logged into his Gmail account, can call other phones and mobile phones as well. In-case the person using this Gmail service has a Google Voice phone number, then the person receiving the call, will be able to see this number being displayed on his mobile phone, when the call comes in. Moreover, calls can also be returned to this same number.

The only things required for using this Google video chat service are:- the voice and video plug-in and the microphone/headphone set. A keypad panel will appear on the computer screen, through which the numbers can be dialled.

Currently, this Google phone call service has only been launched in the US and Canada. Calls within these countries are free. However, international calls are charged at a low rate. For details on tariffs visit the list. The search engine giant is planning to launch this Gmail video chat service in other parts of the world, soon.

Google has announced that in just one day's time, a total of 1 million calls were placed, via the service. Hence, this app is bound to be a big success internationally. The availability of such an app from the powerful Google has threatened the business of apps like Skype as well as the other mobile network operators around the world.