Thanks to TechCrunch, the world can get a sneak peek at an unreleased version of Google Voice for the desktop. Running on OS X, the desktop client launches as “Gizmo5 by Google” and retains much of the branding of its original developer Gizmo5, a small development company that Google acquired in November 2009. Surprisingly, the leaked desktop client was fully functional. It appeared as a handset within the Google Voice web interface, grabbed all the pertinent data from the Google Voice service, and was able to send and receive calls. Testing of the application revealed not only the editor’s phone numbers, but decent call quality as well. Before you get your hopes up, it is unknown whether this desktop application is a newer version of Gizmo5 that Google is revitalizing or an older version that was presumed to have been canned. If you interest is piqued, hit the jump for the full, four-minute video preview.

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Google, Inc. has purchased internet VoIP company Global IP Solutions for a cool $68.2 million; a 27.5% premium over the company’s current stock price. While Global IP may not be a household name, you might be familiar with what they provide and to whom they provide it: the back-end VoIP engine used by the Yahoo!, AIM, WebEx, Baidu, and Lotus chat systems. Google continues to bolster its portfolio of acquired companies that supplement its Google Voice and Google Talk services — you may recall Google purchasing internet chat/VoIP company Gizmo5 several months ago — but we have yet to see any drastic feature changes/additions in said services. The future looks bright for Google Voice and Talk…although we do wonder about the VoIP fate of Yahoo! et. al now that Google owns their voice over IP engine.

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Skype is reportedly turning its back on the upcoming Windows Phone 7 platform and is instead focusing its efforts on the iPhone, Symbian, and Android OS. Speaking at an event in Australia, Dan Neary, the Asia Pacific Vice President for Skype, confirmed that the VoIP software giant is not currently developing a version of its popular software for the Windows Phone 7 platform. This revelation comes close on the heels of Skype’s removal of its Windows Mobile version due to the product’s less than stellar UI and poor user experience. Neary failed to provide a reason for Skype’s dismissal of Windows Phone 7 but the decision could stem from WP7′s lack of native code and its tight integration with XNA and Silverlight for development. It also doesn’t help that Windows Phone 7 is a new and untested platform. Regardless of the reason, heavy Skype users looking to jump to Windows Phone 7 may be wise to wait for Skype to change its mind or for some savvy third party developer to pick up the slack.

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While making our way through the throng of booths, bloggers, and boisterous crowds at CTIA, we were able to snag a few minutes with the new Skype mobile application running on both a BlackBerry Storm2 and a Motorola DROID. The Skype application will allow Skype users to make and receive unlimited domestic and international Skype-to-Skype voice calls, send and receive instant messages to other Skype users, manage the Skype contact list from the mobile device, and call international numbers at Skype’s international calling rates, which, coincidentally, are less expensive than Verizon Wireless’ rates.

We discovered a few interesting tidbits about the mobile application from our time with it on the two demo handsets. One big feature missing in the mobile application is the ability to call domestic landlines. If you attempt to call a U.S.-based landline, you will be prompted to use your Verizon Wireless calling plan and its minutes to complete that call. To improve the quality of phone calls, the Skype service is also not a pure end-to-end VoIP solution as the calls are routed over Verizon’s voice network to Skype’s servers while the IMs and presence/status updates are carried over the data network. Dying to try it out?  Starting March 25th, BlackBerry owners can head to skype.com/mobile to grab their copy of Skype while Android owners can locate the free application in the Android Market. Hit the jump for a few screen grabs of Skype in action.

Skype users that own a Symbian-powered Nokia handset will have to go the extra mile to install Skype on their handset. As noticed following Wednesday’s debut of Skype in the Ovi store, Skype is reportedly not available for Nokia owners in the US. In response to an email from Venture Beat, Sravanthi Agrawal, a member of Skpye’s corporate communications team, said the following:

“Skype has made a decision in the United States to not promote the Skype for Symbian app through the Ovi Store. We did this so that we could drive more attention to the recently announced Skype and Verizon Wireless agreement. This was a marketing decision — plain and simple.

“Skype users in the U.S can still download Symbian by going directly to Skype.com.”

The supposed reason behind this removal is not surprising considering the controversy over the removal of the Windows Mobile version of Skype from Skype’s website, the removal of Skype from the Android Market, and the rumored delay of the 3G-enabled version of Skype for the iPhone. Unless this policy changes or is revealed to be incorrect, anyone unduly affected will have to search a little harder to find a version of Skype to install on their handset or sign up with Verizon Wireless.

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MagicJack, creator and distributor of the popular dongle-based PC VoIP solution, has some problems with its credibility. Back in 2008, BoingBoing revealed some of the companies disingenuous business practices which include but are not limited to: a fake visitor counter on its website that increased automatically on its own, a bogus MagicJack detection page that claims a functioning MagicJack device is connected when none is present, and serious problems with its EULA that allows the service to screen calls and send targeted ads to users while also forcing users to waive their rights to sue in court. Rather than acknowledge its culpability and change its practices, MagicJack dragged BoingBoing into court with a charge of defamation. When it was shown that the BoingBoing article was not defaming, the case was dismissed and MagicJack was ordered to pay $50,000 in legal costs to BoingBoing. Rather than accept the penalty and move on, MagicJack CEO Dan Borislow blamed the incompetence of his lawyers for the loss and tried to buy BoingBoing’s silence by offering the online news site a settlement if the contents of the lawsuit and settlement were kept private. BoingBoing refused to be silenced and now the lawsuit, its outcome, and MagicJack’s futile attempt to cover its tracks are exposed for the world to see.

[Via TechDirt]

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Apparently there isn’t enough to do in Washington these days. 20 House of Representatives lawmakers have pressed the FCC to investigate how and why Google decides to block certain phone numbers with its Google Voice service. After numerous complaints were filed by said Representatives, mostly from rural areas, the FCC has sent a formal inquiry to Google and asked for a response by the 28th of this month. Google insists that it is not a “traditional” phone company and should not be regulated as such. Just one more thing to keep the lawyers at the search giant busy, huh?

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Who doesn’t love a little bit of Skype action? If you’re a Mac user, though, Skype 2.8 Gold adds (or improves on if you were using a beta version) some awesome features like screen sharing (you can even share just a part of your screen for privacy reasons), Skype Access, and improved audio and video support. Skype Access is a way to pay for Wi-Fi hotspot access using your Skype account balance which can simplify things for those on the move we guess. Here’s a couple more updated features:

• Improved chat management (sort chats, set priorities)
• Quick add (self explanatory but let’s you add new people to chats)
• Mood message chat (“it’s a bit like Twitter”)
• Support for large profile pictures
• Hidden avatars in incoming contact requests
• Add notes to contacts

Skype 2.8 Gold is available for download immediately from Skype’s website.

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It is officially official,  Skype will be launching an iPhone version of its popular VoIP software on Tuesday and a BlackBerry version in May. Skype for the iPhone will be the standard run of the mill Skype application with an interface consistent with the iPhone’s slick UI. As with the desktop version, Skype to Skype calls will be free, while Skype to traditional numbers will incur a nominal fee. The VoIP service will require access to a Wi-Fi network and will not run over a cellular connection. Additionally, the iPhone version of Skype will also support chatting and, thankfully, this feature will be available via a cellular connection. There’s also several unique features including the ability to use the camera hardware to capture a photo or to pull in a picture from your photo album for use within the Skype application. Incoming conference calls can be accepted but the ability to initiate an outgoing conference call is not yet available. Not surprisingly, video calling will also not be available in these upcoming mobile versions but is reportedly being considered for future releases for the iPhone and other handsets. Best news of all, the Skype app for the iPhone will be available from the App store for free. Sorry BlackBerry users, but no additional information on the BlackBerry version yet. With a launch slated for May, you all may have to wait until WES rolls around. Hit the jump for a few more screen grabs.

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First uncovered well over a year ago, the “Verizon Hub” is finally going to see the light of day. Talk of the Hub, Hub Phone, Ultra-deskphone or whatever else you want to call it, was revived earlier this week when accessories began popping up on the Verizon website. Lo and behold, Big Red has made it official with a press release. So, umm, what is it?

…a new touch screen home phone system designed to replace old-style home phones with a souped-up home communications system, bridging wireline and wireless connectivity in one simple service, that runs on any broadband connection – whether supplied by Verizon FiOS Internet or DSL or any other high-speed service provider.

Well then. Mike Lanman, VP and CMO at Verizon Wireless goes on to say, “The Verizon Hub is going to change the way you think about what you want and need your home phone to do. Whether you’re thinking about getting rid of your home phone or can’t live without it, now is the time to try out the Verizon Hub.” The Verizon Hub will make use of the generously sized touchscreen in a variety of ways – weather info, a variety of calendar and time management functions, movie previews, ticket purchasing and so on. As for pricing, you’re looking at $200 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a monthly $35 subscription that includes unlimited US calling and messaging. The Verizon Hub is set to become available on February 1 – any takers?

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Preliminary info has been floating around the Verizon Hub deskphone but actual release details have been scant at best. It now looks like some images are finally popping up on Verizon’s website where accessories and other bits of info are displayed. The device looks to replace many items that would be found around your phone at home (if you actually still have one of those). Pictures, notes and snippets, weather, messages and many other features will be packed into this device. Essentially, this is your one-stop-shop for everything communications at home. There isn’t much more than can be said about this new phone, but from the looks of things it may be dropping pretty soon – in fact they may already be in stores waiting to be released. If the accessories page is any indication, it’s going to have internet access, a touch screen with stylus and it will require a two-year contract. Anyone excited about one of these?

Thanks, matrix2004!

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If you’re reading this, we hope you’re sitting down because this news is gonna blow you away. HTC recently announced its plans to launch the HTC MAX 4G, the world’s first GSM / WiMax integrated handset! Judging from the looks of that picture along with others floating around the net, it looks like it’s going to be a hell of a gorgeous phone. Of course, HTC rarely disappoints but this is definitely going to be high up on the “want list” for us. The only problem? Well, here it is straight from HTC PR:

While the HTC MAX 4G is being announced with Russia’s Scartel on their ‘Yota’ brand WiMAX network, and is not slated for introduction in the US market, the HTC MAX 4G represents the commitment to cutting edge innovation that HTC is bringing to consumers around the world.

Not slated for introduction in the States? Come on, HTC! First the Touch HD and now this? We’re sure that for those of you desperate enough (and who can blame you?), you’ll find a way to snag one unlocked and use it here where WiMax is available. So, just to continue with the tease, here are some specs for the new device:

• 3.8″ TFT-LCD flat touchscreen with WVGA 800 x 480 resolution
• Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
• TouchFlo 3D
• 528MHz Processor
• GPS
• WiFi
• 5 megapixel auto-focus camera
• Secondary VGA camera for Video Calling
• VoIP
• Accelerometer for portrait/landscape modes

Is anyone frustrated beyond belief yet that this isn’t hitting the US? Not only does it have video calling but when two users are on Russia’s Yota Mobile WiMax network, calls are automatically routed as VoIP – how cool is that? Anyway, before you start turning green with envy, just remember how much you’ll have to sacrifice in Mother Russia when snagging the latest and greatest devices.

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Open up your iTunes and get this app now! Fring is a pre-release app free on iTunes which allows you to contact your friends on AIM, MSN, Yahoo, Twitter, Skype, and more. VoIP is available over WiFi and the availability of your friends are displayed in real time. The only thing is, and this is hardly a downside, they would like for you to offer your feedback, hence the pre-release offer and test. We just had some friends call and while you can tell you’re on VoIP, the call quality is amazing! It’s pretty much just as good as the Fring call quality is on any other platform. Though a little “tinny,” we had no problems whatsoever understanding each other – even outdoors where the traffic noise was substantial. Also, logging onto the instant messaging clients was a breeze and they work perfectly. You don’t need Skype in order to make VoIP calls either if your friends also have Fring. All you have to do is exchange your Fring usernames and call them through GoogleTalk or any of the other messaging clients that don’t say “Chat Only”! The one thing you may want to take note of is that Apple has been just weird lately with what apps they decide to pull from the app store, so you might want to jump on this one while you can.

Thanks, Steph and Gil!

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Well, the girl above seems to be enjoying JAJAH Concierge – a little too much perhaps. Is that a Von Dutch hat by the way?! Ahem. MOBIVOX and JAJAH have just announced a new partnership that has resulted in a pretty cool new service offering call Concierge. The MOBIVOX-powered service allows users to place a call into the Concierge beta service with a free access number. Once the call is connected, users can issue voice commands to call contacts (or any number with digital dialing), send text messages and even set up conference calls. JAJAH CEO Trevor Healy’s press blurb:

This is a great partnership between two companies at the forefront of the development of voice 2.0 services. MOBIVOX customers benefit from enhanced voice quality, while continuing to use the service they know and love. At the same time, we are delighted to offer JAJAH customers a new service developed on MOBIVOX’s voice application platform.

Beyond the cool-factor, the service is pretty useful in a time where disobeying hands-free mobile phone laws has become a very expensive endeavor. Pricing details are not yet available but for the time being it looks like the service is in closed beta and will open up in the coming months. MOBIVOX’s standard offering should tide you over in the meantime.

[Via MOBIVOX]

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According to VoIP and IM provider Gizmo, approximately 11% of landline and mobile telephones in the US are connected to a VoIP network somewhere along the carrier path. Thanks to a relatively new addition to Gizmo’s catalog of services, if you’re lucky enough to have any of your numbers fall into that 11% you can be called for free from anywhere in the world. The project page also includes a search box that allows you to quickly and easily determine whether or not a given phone number is eligible for backdoor dialing. Making use of the service is quite easy; just download the Gizmo5 to your PC / Mac / Linux computer and preface backdoor calls with 0101. The call will be absolutely free for both the caller and the recipient, and Gizmo claims that bypassing the PSTN leg of a connection will sometimes result in even better call quality than standard calling. Once you receive a backdoor call, you can also use the number displayed on caller ID to call back the Gizmo user any time for free! Perhaps the best part of the service is that it’s not tethered to the PC application. Users with compatible Nokia handsets can place backdoor calls using the Gizmo S60 app. In fact, Gizmo supports SIP so you should be able to setup your Gizmo account in any mobile or computer-based SIP client and enjoy backdoor calling. Gizmo states that their backdoor dialing program is experimental but good response might coax them into not only maintaining the service, but also broadening the scope. Definitely check it out; there’s no calling like free calling.

[Via atmaspheric endeavors]

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