TechCrunch is saying that Skype is looking to buy Gizmo5, a SIP-based service that isn't quite as popular as the former, but works pretty well. SIP is an open standard that works with many, many devices—Gizmo 5 works with Google Voice even—so this could be a pretty good move even if Skype gets out of legal trouble. Imagine piping your free Google Voice number through Skype to get free calls like you can now with Gizmo5. [TechCrunch]

It's also got a 7-inch LCD, but from what we can gather it only works with inPerson or other SIP devices. Not a whole lot of people are on either one (most use Skype or AIM/MSN video), so it's not like this has a huge userbase to boost off of. Nevertheless, it does seem like a pretty interesting choice for Creative to take, and your parents should have less trouble with this than trying to get a laptop to work.

Yes, Cisco/Linksys has had problems with GPL before. From what we heard from the tech industry when that scandal hit (2003-ish), Linksys was borrowing freely from GPL and but not attributing it, a definite no-no. When Cisco purchased Linksys in 2003, they had a source code review and discovered the "oversight". After the obligatory "WTF do we do" meetings, Cisco decided to release the firmware into the open source community. This is why Linux hackers latched on and upgraded their router into a $600 beast.

Cisco is in much the same situation now. Linksys, their devision that made the iPhone WIP300, has borrowed from the GPL without attribution. What does this mean? Well, if Cisco is going to release the firmware for the WIP300 iPhone, that means open source coders are free to hack it to do whatever they want.

The WIP300 is a SIP phone, which is an open source standard for VoIP popularized by SIP VoIP provides and the project "Asterisk", which lets you roll your own VoIP at home with just a linux box. But if hackers get to this phone, they could possibly load it up with Skype, Google Talk, or MSN as well as SIP.

In any case, we look forward to Cisco's next step. – Jason Chen

Open Source Researcher Alerts Cisco to GPL Issue [Cisco]

This isn't anything regular consumers can go out and purchase, but you can try and get your company to hook one up for communications across different branches. – Jason Chen

HD Telepresence Arrives [Scobelizer via Slashgear]

Direct Link to Video [Podtech]

The phone itself has 802.11b/g, supports WEP and WPA, and comes in black and gold. It has a 1.8-inch LCD screen, polyphonic ringtones, text messaging, and a talk time of three hours. Kind of skimpy, but alright if you're just using it around the house or the office. Not a bad phone for Asterisk users. – Jason Chen

Press Release [Webitpr]

Nevertheless, the 802.11b/g compatible 3Com 3108 looks like a clamshell cellphone but works over WiFi so you can talk all your buddies like you were using an actual cellphone. It's also capable of being used on VoIP providers like Gizmo Project, which at least gives some functionality to people who aren't avid VoIP Do-It-Yourselfers. – Jason Chen

FCC [via Mobile Whack]

This version has Bluetooth support so you can use your Bluetooth headset to talk. And it looks a lot like the iPod shuffle, including the lack of display, so you can fool your grandma. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Mplat]

Flashphone MPlat F4K [uber gizmo]

The phone comes in red, black, silver and white, has 3.5 hours of talk time, 60 hours of standby time, and supports 802.11b. No word on availability or pricing. – Jason Chen

Fi Win [via Sydney Morning Herald]