Google has put a lot of time and effort into building out their Hangouts app.
Some say it’s getting too bloated (or, maybe that’s just me), while others are still hopeful of a single unified communications application to rule them all.
Whatever your perspective is on Hangouts, Google definitely wants you to use it. Through the end of 2014, Google is offering free international calls to 25 different countries.
Sort of.
In actuality,
For the rest of 2014, the first minute of most calls to 25 countries are free, and you’ll be charged for each minute after. Calls where the first minute are free will say, “First minute free” on the call screen. If you don’t see this message, you’ll be charged for the first minute.
There are a few steps you will need to follow in order to get the free time.
- Add calling credit to your Google account.
- Make one call at a time. If you try to make more than one call at the same time through Hangouts, only one of them will get the first minute free.
- Call one of the 25 countries where the first minute is free, subject to usage and abuse limits.*
But wait, there’s more,
Before you make your first phone call
To turn on phone calling in the Hangouts app on Android devices, make sure you do the following:
- Download the Hangouts dialer on Android devices. The Hangouts dialer turns on calling in the Hangouts app.
- If you don’t have the latest version of the Hangouts app on Android devices, download the Hangouts app on Android devices.
…and that’s assuming you already have a Google Voice number setup. If not, your list of steps just got longer.
It seems like a lot to go through for a a single minute of calling. But, if you really want to hear someone’s voice this holiday season, or want them to hear your’s, then this might just be the offer for you.
Check out Google’s guide to making calls with Hangouts, and to see the list of 25 countries eligible for a free minute of calling.
Source [Google]
Hangouts (Playboard) | Hangouts (Play Store)
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