Gizmo offers VoIP calls in a flash

SIPphone is launching a new service called Gizmo Call that allows people to make VoIP calls without having to download a traditional software client.

Using a flash plug-in, Gizmo Call lets consumers simply type a number into a special field and click a call button to connect. Calls can also be made by typing a number at the end of the gizmocall.com URL.

The plug-in, which can be downloaded at gizmocall.com, lets people call most landline or mobile phones from anywhere in the world using any internet browser.

What makes Gizmo Call different from other voice over IP calling applications, such as Skype, is that it doesn't require a traditional software download or registration or an account set up. This makes Gizmo Call a potentially great VoIP solution for travellers making calls from internet cafés and kiosks.

Users get five minutes of calling per day for free. If they register, they can get 10 minutes per day for free, the company said. To make more calls, users can purchase "Call Out" minutes in $10 increments.

Gizmo Call is available for Windows and Mac operating systems, with Linux OS support expected within 30 days. Gizmo Call works with Internet Explorer, Opera, Firefox and Safari browsers and requires Adobe Flash 9 to be installed on the computer.

Marguerite Reardon writes for CNET News.com