Google has just made it easier to make or receive free calls from The United States and Canada. This service was in risk of being lost at the end of 2012, but has been extended through 2013. They are also bragging about cheap rates for International calls.
You have been able to make calls through Google since 2012 via the Google Talk application. This can install on your Smart Phone and you can receive calls to and from anyone on your Google number using only your data or WiFi service. This means that it does not count towards your minutes used with your carrier service provider.
This application can even take over your voice mail giving you the feature of visual voice mail for free, something that other service providers charge extra for. The best news about that is that it will also get your voice mails for your normal voice service as well.