I'm not really sure how best I can use this. I think I could have pick a number from the other end of the country to make it cheaper for western friends and relatives to call me. However, I'm still not sure I want folks to have all that much access to me all the time. I can see through some of the available custom configs how it might be good to set this up to ring all my phones to give out to a doctor's office while waiting for lab results, or to FedEx while waiting for the next delivery (like they call before not delivering) or to my wife who may need some help, but I don't think I need to have universal access, and I'm not sure I need to have this level of tune-ability over my phone commo. We'll see.

most people who use a cell phone don't even think about long distance any more.

and, if you attach this to your home phone then you can make long distance calls using Google Voice with your home phone and drop long distance from your home phone as you don't need it any more. i just realized this . . . i think i'll drop our long distance today.

enlighten me - I'd love to be able to call my Dad for free

Me too , I cannot see Google doing that for free ?

OK - I think i have it. Export your address book contacts (if you want to) as vCards. then import them from the desktop into your Google Voice contacts. Then you have your home phone set up as one of your google phones, and choose a long distance number to call. You have google dial the other guy, and in the "call" window, it states it will connect you for no charge. It then rings your home phone, and you hear the other number ringing and then they answer. I just called my Dad. I will use this carefully until i see my next phone bill. Remember, Skype was free for the first year...

Thats what I was thinking a Skype thingy

Its gotta cost Google something to do this and if its free theres a catch somewhere or it's coming soon

There's a few ways to talk long distance for free or near free. Our cable company has a plan for $30 a line all the features and free long distance.

Skype to Skype is still free. Skype to US and Canada landlines and mobiles costs but it's only $2.95 a month and they allow 6 hours a day, 10,000 minutes per month.

Below is a nice wireless Skype phone, works with Mac, of course it requires you be near a computer but at least you're not tethered to it by headset or speakers and mic. I can walk outside and around the house with the phone, about 20-30 feet from the computer it works well.

http://www.dealtime.com/xPO-Keyspan-CORDLESS-VOIP-PHONE-SKYPE

yeah Beemer, i think you have it. John outlined it in an earlier post:if the Google number is showing up on caller ID then i'd guess that the long distance is not being charged to a different number. and Google specifically states that any money needed in your account is only for international long distance rates (which are low, fwiw). i am pretty confident that this would work as i described for free.

EDIT: The image even notes that "Google will call . . . for FREE in the USA"

Vonage doesn't charge you for long distance either.

Right. But isn't there a charge for the overall service?

edit:

Basic 500

$17.99/Month†
Includes 500 Minutes within USA & Canada
Additional minutes only 3.9¢/minute