The new  voice calls via Gmail feature has received an overwhelming response, according to early reports. The first 24 hours were marked with over a million calls,  and the feature has yet to launch globally. This feature is basically a mash up between the Google chat and Google voice services. It is very easy to use, as explained on the official Google blog.

This service offers free local and cheap international calls. But maybe not for long, PCWorld reports:

The feature, which is currently only available to U.S. Gmail users, allows users to place free “local” (within the United States and Canada) phone calls, as well as cheap international calls. Google says it’s subsidizing the “local” calls with the international calls’ rates, though these rates are still quite low. You can call a number of countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Argentina, China, and Japan, for as low as two cents per minute.

Google says that the local calls are free for now, and will be through at least the end of this year. However, things may change as the service catches on (though it looks like it already is).

The 1st 24 hour rush can be characterized as “Let’s try out the new feature” rush.  Google Buzz also saw a similar early rush, though users quickly found they didn’t like many of the included features. How many people come back to use the feature is the million dollar question here. The limited free offer suggests that many will. Nevertheless, Google is still on fire with new features popping from left and right, including some for Google Buzz. This particular service is a heads up for VoIP services as Skype, VBuzzer, etc., particularly as Skype prepares for an IPO.