Filed under: Software, Internet Tools
Project Gizmo makes calls free, sorta
Project Gizmo, the free cross platform VoIP client, has announced that you can now make free calls from Gizmo to landlines and mobile phones in 60 countries (with some limitations, of course). I have long enjoyed Project Gizmo, so this is welcome news, however, free in this case isn't as free as one might think.You can only call landlines and mobile phones of people who have a Project Gizmo account and are 'active users,' so there goes my free calls to my mother ('sorry, Mom, I would have called but Gizmo wouldn't let me!'). This is a ploy to get more people registered for Project Gizmo, and I say more power to them but it strikes me as kind of lame. What think you, oh dear TUAW readers?
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
The Truthbearer said 6:10PM on 7-20-2006
Cheesy Skpe imitation...
Reply
Carlos said 6:38PM on 7-20-2006
60 countries and no mexico!!!!!!!!!
Almost 20% of the mexicans use the internet
We are 105 million people, more than the entire poblation of some countries there.
I hate Gizmo
Reply
doc said 6:56PM on 7-20-2006
I like Gizmo a lot, but if they are going to compete with Skype, which is what this promotion half-heartedly is trying to do, then they are going to have to offer the same features. Right now Skype users can call anyone, whether or not they have even heard of Skype, let alone have a paid account. This does nothing to get any of those millions of skype users to even consider making the change.
Reply
bobby said 7:28PM on 7-20-2006
look what someone posted in the comments of this digg story.
-----------------------------------------------------
Sounds like a marketing Gimick at Gizmo!
Both need to be users, and when you dial on the softphone how do you know IF the other fellow is still an "Active" regular user, does it warn you that your account is now being charged.
Seems like a desparate way to gain sign ups.
And where does it say "forever"?
Here is what I am doing at the moment
www.skype.com for free USA calls to any number, must use their softphone with a headset.
http://www.voicestick.com They have a free incoming phone number and voice mail.
I get my incoming calls with voicestick (on a regular phone as I got the Analog Phone Adapter) and take my voice mail there as it emails me with my voice mail (I love that part)
Also they sell you for ZERO a $29 Plantronics headset if you are a signed up customer (And I use the headset with my free Skype.
They also give you a $5 account credit with the free 'next to nothing' incoming line.
Now if I could just get the wife to use Skype and the headset.
Reply
Bryan Bartow said 7:54PM on 7-20-2006
Unfortunately, this will not drive widespread adoption for them. Of course, they may just be after inflated user numbers to increase their attractiveness to potential buyers. For the technically savvy however, this might be a viable alternative if and when Skype pulls the plug on free Skype out.
Reply
Alan Hartung said 7:55PM on 7-20-2006
Gizmo can be used in Mexico, whether it's supposed to be or not. I've used it on vacation in San Felipe several times and made calls back to the states for 1 cent a minute.
Free sounds better, but it's a gimmick. I don't like it, really. They should stay clear of that type of "growth" because they'll end up with a ton of people who downloaded gizmo just so their tech savvy relative can make free calls...
Reply
Carlos said 8:22PM on 7-20-2006
It can be used in mexico but i cant call for free to mexico
Reply
Chris W. said 9:24PM on 7-20-2006
Sorry, Gizmo... Skype all the way for me! Especially since they're currently working on videochat capability. Can't wait!
Reply
henrrrik said 4:19AM on 7-21-2006
The client isn't quite as polished as Skype's is, but the great thing about Gizmo is that it's based on the *OPEN* SIP standard, not a closed proprietary protocol like Skype. That means you can call any SIP phone for free using Gizmo, not just Gizmo users. Also, the instant messaging component uses Jabber, so it interoperates with Google Talk.
Skype is nice but a closed proprietary system in this day and age is just insane.
Reply
SteveWZ said 9:37AM on 7-21-2006
I switched from Skype to Gizmo for two reasons: Skype uses a proprietary P2P protocal that utilizes your bandwidth even when you're not in a call, and Gizmo's sound quality was better (for me, anyway). Their service offerings are nearly identical now, so really the only choice point is: which service do more of my friends and family use?
Reply