Gizmo5 Update Available, Brings Better Google Voice Support

Good news for those who snagged a Gizmo5 account before it closed its doors to new users: It appears that the Gizmo5 4.0 v 269 update is available and along with "various bug fixes" it bring "improved support for Google Voice." [Cool Geex]

Remainders - Stuff We Didn't Post (and Why)

Apple Patent Describes iPod UI "Pushed" to Other Devices...Philips Announces Very Pretty Pro LCD Line...NYTimes Columnist Proposes Boycott of "Pro-Communist China" Bing...Ooma Adds New Handsets and International Plan... More »

Screw the Voice Plan: The Rumored Google Phone May Be Data/Voip Only

Mike Arrington's following up yesterday's rumor of the Google Phone with an interesting angle: That it may be VOIP and data only, having no traditional voice plan. Sounds like the telcos worst nightmare. More »

Gizmo5 Currently Closed To New Users

We knew that Gizmo5 was acquired by Google, but now we're seeing the first effect of that merger as Gizmo5 has closed its doors to new users until the Google-powered re-launch. [Cool Geex]

Are Google Voice Calls To and From Your Computer Coming?

Google's bought Gizmo5, a VOIP company. They've got Google Voice, but no way to use Google voice for calls to and from your computer—only redirecting calls to existing physical and mobiles. Not anymore. More »

1.4 Million People Have Google Voice, But Not That Many Actually Use It

The reason your friends aren't begging you for a Google Voice invite is probably 'cause they've got one by now. BusinessWeek got a hold of the redacted user numbers Google gave to the FCC, and they're higher than I'd expect: 1.419 million users, only 570,000 of whom actually use it everyday. More »

Skype Might Buy Gizmo5 To Power Its VoIP Calling

Skype might have been sloughed off of eBay into its own entity, but lawsuits, regarding its core Skype to Skype technology, might put them in trouble unless it has a backup plan of new VoIP tech. More »

Google Says They Gotta Block Some Numbers to Keep Google Voice Free

Here's one way for Google to keep people on their side in their tussle with the FCC, egged on by AT&T: Say that the only way to keep Google Voice free is to block those pricey calls to certain numbers. More »

Can Google Voice Really Block Calls to Some Numbers? The FCC Investimagates

Remember AT&T's hilariously ironic request for the FCC to investigate Google Voice for not following net neutrality rules? The FCC is all over it, and has sent a letter to Google asking why and how Google Voice blocks certain calls. More »

Mercy Killing: Verizon Deletes the Unpopular Hub

The bizarrely anachronistic Verizon Hub has been killed off, says Dave Zatz. Hard to tell if this happened before everybody decided not to buy it, or after. More »

Palm Adds Unofficial Google Voice Client to App Catalog

Apple may have issues with Google Voice, but Palm likes it. And it's now approved gDial Pro, a free third-party client that lets you call and text contacts using a Google Voice number instead of your cell-phone number. [Palm Blog]

Apple Approves Vonage Mobile VoIP App

Did our ranting and the FCCs investigation have an effect on Apple's app approval process? First they approved Spotify's streaming app, now they've approved Vonage's Mobile VoIP app? How about revisiting the Google Voice app while Apple's feeling nice? More »

EBay Sells off 65 Percent of Skype for $1.9 Billion

EBay acquired Skype back in 2005 for over 3 billion buckaroos, but apparently it wasn't the best investment. It didn't seem to know what to do with the Internet calling company so it did what it knows best and put it up for auction. It is selling 65 percent of its stake in the company for 1.9 billion dollars to a small group of VC funds. The deal values Skype at $2.75 billion. More »

Active Military Personnel Getting Priority, 24 Hour Google Voice Activation

Google is pushing active military personnel to the front of the Google Voice waiting list. That means if you have a .mil email address, an invite will go out inside 24 hours of your request. More »

Skype 2.8 Integrates Screen Sharing for Better Procrastination Across Platforms

Skype 2.8 for Mac, which integrates iChat-style, cross platform/OS screen sharing, Wi-Fi access through Boingo, and improved audio/video quality is out. Seems perfect for sharing amusing pictures while accidentally flashing someone. [Skype 2.8 via ReadWriteWeb via Lifehacker]

Skype 3.0 for Windows Mobile Shares Files, Sends Texts, Skypes

Skype's finally dropped a brand new version of their app for Windows Mobile. Three dawt oh brings file sharing and SMS texting, for free. Weeeeeeeee. [Skype via jkontherun]

Google Voice Coming VERY Soon?

There has been lots of chatter about Google Voice being on the verge of being released, so keep an eye out tomorrow and early next week to see if it hits. You'll probably have to sign up early to get a number in an area code you like. More »

Google Voice About to Get More Amazing By Letting You Port Your Number

If you call Jason, his iPhone, Pre, Ion and pants all ring because he has Google Voice. The service's biggest downside is that you have a new number to deal with—but TechCrunch says number porting is coming. More »

Skype 'Technically Possible' on DSi, But Does This Include Video?

A spokesman for Skype says that it's technically possible to port Skype onto Nintendo's multi-camera-enabled DSi, but does that mean video? More »

Skype To Be Spun Off From eBay in 2010

Skype, the most popular VoIP application/network/platform out there now, is going to be spun off in 2010 with its own IPO. eBay seems to not know what the hell to do with Skype. Who knew that an auction company and a VoIP company didn't belong together? Oh yeah, everybody. [CNET]

European Union Considering a Ban on Carrier VoIP Filtering

The EU's next technological crusade could be against traffic-blocking cellular carriers, according to a German newspaper. Brussels be warned: you should expect a hell of a fight over this one. More »

Rumor: Skype for iPhone To Be Released As Early As Next Week

A tipster GigaOM is calling "very reliable" has revealed that Skype for the iPhone will arrive as early as next week—perhaps at the CTIA Wireless show kicking off on Wednesday. Stay tuned. [GigaOM]

GrandCentral Sputters Back To Life as Google Voice, Adds Voicemail Transcription, SMS Support

Google really took their time on this one, leaving GrandCentral sitting dormant ever since they purchased it in 2007. But nonetheless, it's back, and now it's called—wait for it— Google Voice. More »

Hands-On With JaJah's iPod touch VoIP App

Jajah isn't the first VoIP app for the iPhone/iPod touch, but it's the first that let's you send/receive SMS messages over wi-fi. I got a brief look at it, and so far, so good. More »

USB Star Trek Communicator Lets You Do VoIP Over USB

There have been Bluetooth versions of the Star Trek communicator in the past, but as of this moment the new VoIP version is as close as nerds can get to the real thing. More »

JaJah App Now Turns Your iPod touch Into a VoIP Phone

JaJah is readying their VoIP calling app for the second-gen iPod touch, offering cellphone-esque functionality free of SIM cards and contracts, and provide mobile carriers the JaJah technology to use under their own brand. More »

Skype Lite Heading to Android, iPhone Not Far Off

T-Mobile G1 users will soon be able to enjoy the benefits of Skype with the addition of the "lite" version to the Android Marketplace—and an iPhone version may not be far behind. More »

Skype 2.5 Beta For Windows Mobile Now Available

Skype claims to have overhauled their VoIP client for Windows Mobile with their 2.5 beta release. Improvements include: better sound quality, better stability and friendlier interface. Hit the link to give it a whirl. [Skype]

Ooma Releasing New 'Unlimited' Phone, Still Exists

Last year Ooma, the only VoIP provider starring Ashton Kutcher, announced an unlimited VoIP calling package, available for a one-time fee of $400. It sounded crazy then, and it sounds crazy now — but they're somehow still at at. Now the price is $250, and they've got a new phone and router on the way. Details are slim for the time being, but considering that this one is at least wireless — unlike the first retro-handset — I'd say it's an improvement. [Gearlog]

Motorola Embeds CDMA Femtocell into Digital Photo Frame

I have to hand it to the guys at Motorola for coming up with the idea to integrate a femtocell and a VoIP soft phone into a digital photo frame. Femtocells help cover weak spots in a cellular network by sending calls over the internet—which is a good idea except that it would involve yet another device cluttering up your workspace. The choice of a frame as the focal point for the system is a clever solution to this problem because it already utilizes a touchscreen and it blends in well with the surrounding environment. Femtocells have yet to make a big impact on our wireless networks, but I can see devices like this helping to speed up adoption. [connectedhome2go via ZatzNotFunny]