Google will close Gizmo5

In November 2009, Google acquired the Gizmo5 VoIP service, which allows users to make and receive calls from their computers and mobile phones. Recently, the company began to inform users that the Gizmo5 service will be closed on April 3, 2011.

Already from March 11, it will be impossible to replenish your account. If funds remain on the account, they can be withdrawn or transferred to a Google Voice account. The letter states to users: “Although the Gizmo5 client will no longer be available, we have launched the ability to make calls inside Gmail at even lower prices.”

Since acquiring a startup, Google has really integrated Gizmo5 technology into Gmail / Gtalk, and since last August, users have been able to make phone calls directly from Gmail. This is a great feature - especially if you are using Google Voice - but it still doesn’t replace Gizmo5 completely. For example, the Gizmo5 application allows users to make and receive phone calls on mobile devices via Wi-Fi. There is no Wi-Fi call support in Google Voice.