Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) is working on a way to enable users to make calls directly from their Gmail chat box, according to an article by CNET's Tom Krazit. Google declined to comment on the report, but if it proves accurate, it could further raise the stakes for Gmail as a productivity tool.

According to Krazit, it looks like the new calling feature will be a web-based, voice-over-IP client embedded into email, and it isn't clear whether it will be part of the Google Voice or Google Talk services. With Gmail Chat today, it is possible to conduct voice and video calls with other Gmail users, but making VoIP calls over the web to non-Gmail users requires a service like Skype.

Google's latest tinkering with web-based calling "very well may change the way you communicate over phones forever," speculates Seth Weintraub at Fortune. Calling early previews of the alleged voice service in the works "a handy little Skype killer," Weintraub notes that Google's acquisition of Skype VoIP, Global IP Solutions and Gizmo5 position it to make some major moves in the web-based calling business.

PCWorld's Ian Paul points out that Google has been known to duplicate functions in different services before, and it might make sense to integrate Gmail Chat with Google Voice. Both Gmail and Google Voice offer SMS services, for example. 

For more:
- see Tom Krazit's article at CNET
- see Seth Weintraub's post at Fortune
- see Ian Paul's post at PCWorld

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