It has been quite a while since we first heard about the Archos Smart Home Phone. In fact, we mentioned it way back in June of 2011. And well, as of this date in early 2012 it looks like those in the UK can now move forward and make a purchase.

With that being said, given we mentioned this so far back, a quick recap on just what the Archos Smart Home Phone is and does seems to be in order. Archos is billing this as a “new generation of home phone” and what that seems to mean is that they are combining the features of a DECT phone with an Android smartphone.

• DECT Phone: all the cutting edge DECT phone features: hands-free, intercom, caller ID, unlimited phone book.
• Full-fledge Android smartphone at home: web, email, contacts, socials networks, multimedia applications, and thousands of applications downloadable from AppsLib.

Other goodies include Wi-Fi connectivity, a 3.5 inch display and a front facing camera. And lastly, in terms of the pricing, those in the UK can expect to pay £129.98 (including taxes) for the 8GB model.

Via [Archos] and [AndroidCentral]

Those sporting a Windows Phone device and waiting for Skype, there may be a bit of good news. According to a recent statement coming from Skype’s VP of products, Rick Osterloh — the Skype division is “working on a Windows Phone product that will be coming out soon.” And there you have it, Skype will be available for your Windows Phone device soon. Of course, the real kicker here, soon could mean a few days or even a few weeks. In other words, aside from another confirmation that an app is indeed coming — we are still left waiting for more information.

Otherwise, this release is expected to be nothing more than a Skype app that you would see for any of the other mobile operating systems. Bottom line here, while Skype is expected to have deep integration with Windows Phone at some point, that is not expected to happen in this release. In fact, according to the recent chatter on the interwebs, deep integration with Skype is not expected to arrive until later in the year and will coincide with the availability of Windows Phone Apollo.

With that, we are hoping to see Skype come available for Windows Phone no later than next month, which just so happens to be when Mobile World Congress will be taking place in Barcelona.

Via [The Verge]

Skype has announced a new offer, one that those who find themselves celebrating New Years Eve in New York City may want to check out — free Skype WiFi. Yup, Skype will be opening up the WiFi pipes and allowing those celebrating to make some free calls. The free Skype WiFi will be available from 12 noon on December 31st and will stay open until 12 noon on January 1st. In other words, they seem to be giving you plenty of time to call just about anyone and everyone that you desire. As for gaining access to that WiFi, you will be able to find it in the following neighborhoods;

Times Square, West Village, East Village, South Village, Greenwich Village, NoHo, SoHo, Lowe East Side, Clinton, Chelsea, Union Square, Midtown, Midtown South, Murray Hill, Stuyvesant Park and Turtle Bay

And lastly, the free Skype WiFi will be available for those using a Mac, Windows or iOS device who are able to connect to the “Skype WiFi” hotspot network.

Via [Skype Blog]

It looks like the folks over at Skype have rolled out the latest update in terms of their Android app. This latest comes as version 2.6 and is currently available by way of the Android Market. Skype 2.6 for Android measures in as a 12M file and maintains the requirement of Android 2.1 or later for use. Of course, we had already known Skype as a way that you can make free Skype-to-Skype calls and video calls along with low-cost calls to regular numbers, however this update has added a few new features. Coming by way of the “what’s new” section in the Android Market, here is what you can expect new from Skype 2.6 for Android;

• Send pictures, videos and files
• Easier to sign out, and auto-sign in
• Improved look and feel with new graphics
• Voicemail improvements
• Better video quality on Tegra 2 devices

Via [Android Market] and [Skype Blog]

Many Gmail users take advantage of the Call Phone option within the email client to place calls for free in the United States & Canada or pay low rates for international calling. For individuals without unlimited voice minutes or a landline, the ability to call for free anywhere in the United States and Canada is a great luxury. Towards the end of the year, Google typically announces that calling from Gmail will remain free in the next year for the United States and Canada. And this year is no different as Google announces it will remain free in 2012.

Hopefully Google one day announces that it will be permanently free, because the alternative would probably mean a low rate per minute charge in the United States and Canada, or a cap on how many free minutes you can use.

Via [Gmail Blog]

Following the integration of Facebook to both the beta versions of Skype for Mac and Skype for Windows, Skype has just updated both software allowing to make Facebook-to-Facebook call from within Skype. To start a Facebook-to-Facebook call from within Skype, you just need to connect to your Skype and Facebook accounts. Then you select any of your Facebook friend to make the video call in Skype. Your friend can then pick up your call from Facebook. The new feature adds up to the previous Facebook-integrated features such as seeing when your friends are online on Facebook, ability to read their status updates and send them an instant message – all within Skype Beta for Mac or Skype Beta for Facebook.

Aside from the Facebook-to-Facebook feature, the update also brings in a smoother video rendering when making calls, group screen sharing for Skype Beta for Windows for users with Premium accounts and the ability to screen share with live video streaming if you are chatting one-on-one. To get the updated software, simply follow the product links after the video demo below.

Via [Skype Blog] and [Skype Beta for Mac] and [Skype Beta for Windows]

Google has rolled-out the latest update in terms of the Google Voice for Android app. The latest update brings the version number up to 0.4.2.38 which comes as a 4.2M file and retains compatibility with Android devices running version 1.6 or later. But that aside, this latest update brings a few welcomed features including;

• Prefetch voicemails so they can be listened to even when there is no data coverage
• Allow sending text messages to multiple recipients
• Improved text message notification

Via [Android Market]

Republic Wireless has finally revealed the details regarding its new Wi-Fi reliant mobile phone plans. Republic Wireless will use the LG Optimus to test its theory that the majority of people will use Wi-Fi to handle everyday tasks such as making calls, texting and browsing the web. Since customers will be using an assortment of Wi-Fi connections, they aren’t limited to how much they can use their phones in a given month. Once the Wi-Fi connections are lost, Republic Wireless expects customers to become more mindful of their consumption habits.

The Hybrid Calling technology inside the modified LG Optimus allows the phone to switch between a Wi-Fi connection and Sprint’s 3G network easily. Republic Wireless says most people are near a Wi-Fi network 60 percent of the time. For the remaining 40 percent, customers are limited to how much they can call, text and use the web while on a cellular connection.

Republic Wireless uses the Cellular Usage Index to check on cellular network usage. If an individual’s CUI gets too high, Republic Wireless will inform them of ways in which they can lower their usage. If changes aren’t made, Republic Wireless will send them packing. The company will tell customers how much time they have to correct things before they’re dismissed.

A customer should be safe if they use 300MB of data, 550 minutes and 150 texts while not connected to Wi-Fi.

So even though not everything is unlimited, Republic Wireless believes most people won’t have a problem staying within its usage guidelines.

Via [Republic Wireless]

Finally, Skype has a new owner, it’s Microsoft. Board of directors of both Microsoft and Skype has officially approved the acquisition which was previously announced back on May 10, 2011. Microsoft spent $8.5 billion to acquire Skype. Part of the acquisition agreement states that Microsoft and Skype will remain focused on their shared goal of connecting all people across all devices. In addition, Microsoft and Skype will continue efforts at accelerating the transformation of real-time communications for consumers and since Microsoft is now involved with Skype, even more for enterprise consumers as well. Skype will become a new business division of Microsoft and will be headed by Skype CEO Tony Bates. He will be reporting directly to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Skype will continue to offer its products as a separate entity but will also be fully integrated with other Microsoft products in the future.

Tony Bates said that the merger between Microsoft and Skype is aimed at accelerating Skype’s goal of reaching 1 billion users daily.

“By bringing together the best of Microsoft and the best of Skype, we are committed to empowering consumers and businesses around the globe to connect in new ways,” Bates said.

Now, it will be interesting to see how Skype will be integrated to Microsoft’s products and services.

Via [Microsoft]

Those using Google Voice on a regular basis may like this latest little change – the ability to have your calling credits automatically recharge when you get low. Sure, a simple concept, but one that has not been available with Google Voice until now. Anyway, Google now offers the following options — Do Nothing or Send an email as well as Auto-recharge at $10, $25 or $50. As for the recharges, those will take place when your account balance dips down below $2.00. In short, assuming you switch over to an auto-recharge, you should not have to worry about finding yourself in a situation where you have no calling credits remaining.

Via [Google Voice Blog]