- December 20, 2010 2:37 pm
This past August, Google unveiled a new feature within Gmail giving users the ability to place phone calls on their computer quickly and easily. Sweetening the deal came by way of “free” phones through the end of 2010.
Today, Google has come forward and changed their story, though for the better. Now, Gmail users can make free calls for the rest of 2010 and all of 2011. The reasoning behind Google’s actions here aren’t yet known. While Google makes truckloads of money every day, paying for people to conduct millions of phone calls during the same time period can’t be cheap.
We’ve reached out to Google for clarification and will report back when more is known.
I know all you want to see is pictures and prices so I’ll get on with it. You might or may not be a tad disappointed. I on the other hand am pretty excited. If the wifey and I go with a 500 minute + unlimited text + web family plan on a contractual agreement, we’re looking at a mere $109/month. That may sound like a lot. Mind you it’s for two lines and is a much better price than we would get on either Verizon or AT&T. How is your setup going to fair?
Looks like I got a bit too excited. The confusion comes from the fact that non-contract pricing is cheaper per month. Under this, it would make more sense for the wifey and I to go contract free so that we could escape with that $109/month price. Going the normal route jumps us up to $139. Sorry for (1) misinterpreting and (2) getting your hopes up. The $109 quoted price is for a family plan w/ no yearly contract and includes 750 minutes + unlimited text + unlimited web for two lines. Again, my bad.
Even More: 2 year contract w/ handset subsidies
Even More Plus: Contract Free — Flex Pay — Installment based payments on handsets
**Bigger pictures immediately below
For the solo artists, the $80/month Even More plan (with subsidy and two year contract) that includes 500 minutes and unlimited text and talk is pretty decent if you ask me. In comparison, my solo iPhone contract on AT&T with 450 minutes, unlimited text, and the data plan is $95/month. I hate talking on the phone and try to avoid it as much as possible. Because of that, the lowest minutes plan is perfect for me. Of course, everyone is different and your mileage may vary.
If you’re the family type, the $10/month just for each additional line is still a disappointment. Though there are deals to be had here as well. In particular, non-talkers with equally silent companions will find that the 500 minute Even More plan w/ unlimited text and web at $109/month is quite a bargain. To remind you, that’s practically my bill on AT&T for my iPhone with less minutes and occupied by myself. How’s it looking for you?
As mentioned before, I got too excited and got confused. *hangs head in embarrassment and shame.* Now that I really see the price structure, the luster is still sorta here and sorta not. Question still stands — what’s your take?
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