Google Introduces Free One Minute ISD Calls via Hangouts in 25 Countries

By Vivek

| Published: Friday, October 31, 2014, 16:33 [IST]

Google Hangouts has been one of the best apps to chat, make a video call or even a voice call via VoIP. Now the search engine giant has added another profitable feature for its users in 25 selected countries.

Google Introduces Free One Minute ISD Calls via Hangouts

Google has announced that the first minute of voice calls via Hangouts will be free in the selected 25 countries. This news stands contrary to the rumors that came previously suggesting that Google will shut down voice call support and integrate it into Hangouts.

The 25 countries where the new Hangouts feature is accessible include Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K. and the U.S.

Google's Hangouts app for desktops and mobile will allowed users to instant message, make free domestic voice calls, video chat and calls to phone numbers (including free calls to US and Canada) using an internet connection.

However, you shall need to have some calling credit in your Google account to get your first minute free, as you'll be charged for the duration of your call beyond that first minute.

Google says "The first 60 seconds are on us - what you say is up to you. The first minute of a call to phone numbers in twenty-five different countries is now free with Hangouts".

As soon as the one minute gets over, the user's credit card will be charged for the ISD call. Even if you plan to hang up within a minute, you must link your credit card to your Google account and add credit to it before making this call, even if you are pretty sure the call will not last more than 30 seconds.

Google Hangouts is available for download for Android, iOS and your desktop.

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