So it turns out Skype was more than a mere experiment for 3, apparently, seeing how the FCC just approved its rumored new Skypephone -- though contrary to what we'd heard, the documentation indicates that the candybar might end up being called the IM2, not the S2. Crucial difference, we know. Anyhow, the phone sports a 3.2 megapixel cam, HSDPA (up from the original's mere UMTS), and features a rather attractive brushed metal backing, not bad for a phone that's theoretically designed to save you cash by routing calls over the internets. Still no launch details for the thing just yet, but at least we now know we'll be able to use it in the good ol' US of A without drawing the FCC's ire.

Not quite a year since the original Skypephone made a minor splash across the pond comes word that the second iteration is nearly ready to be removed from the oven. Slated to launch on 3 (of course), this candybar-styled handset will reportedly boast HSDPA connectivity, a 2.2-inch QVGA display, a respectable 3.2-megapixel camera, integrated Skype and "built–in modem drivers so you can use it as a dongle for your PC or Mac." We're particularly fond of that last part -- are any of you other carriers listening here? Check it out sometime in the mysterious future for a currently undisclosed price.

[Thanks, Linsey]

Why should smartphone and 3 Skypephone users have all the fun? Skype has finally released a client written for mobile Java, enabling the ubiquitous VoIP pipe to be used on a wide, wide variety of phones (Skype says they've tested it on about 50, but it's likely to work on far more than that). Though it's naturally scaled down a bit to fit in its tiny target footprint, the client still manages to pack in support for Skype-to-Skype and SkypeOut calls, chat, group chat, and your buddy list -- pretty much everything you need to make it functional. If you're going to have a go at it, just make sure you're on a sufficiently generous data plan, k?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Update: Turns out the data plan doesn't have to be that generous. Straight from Skype: "Tom has 20 Skype contacts and signs in twice a day for a total of 90 minutes. He IMs for about 25 minutes each day and makes 20 minutes of Skype calls. Tom would use just under 1 MB of data in one month." Thanks, everyone!

Carriers have been making some strong strides in the direction of open access, and the recent 700MHz auction was a particular win for consumers, but the FCC isn't quite ready to go whole hog here. The commission has turned down Skype's request that the FCC expand 1968's Carterphone landline ruling to apply to the mobile industry, which would mean that operators would be required to let any device run on their network as long as it doesn't do damage. If you'll hear Verizon or AT&T tell it, that's what they're doing already, but Skype obviously wants some protection for its bandwidth-hogging, carrier revenue-threatening P2P VoIP app, and the FCC isn't quite ready to fork it over.

Right on schedule, you're looking at the just announced co-branded Skype phone: the 3 Skypephone. Sure, mobile Skype clients are already in worldwide use. This, however, marks the first time a carrier has fully embraced Skype which traditionally has been seen as a threat to carrier tariff schemes. Under 3's plan, Skype VoIP calls and IMs are free to any other Skype user just as long as you're under contract or top up your pay as your go account with at least £10 (about $21) each month. The £49 (about $101) 3G phone with 2 megapixel camera and microSD slot will be available in the UK on Friday; Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Macau and Sweden sometime later in the year. Wanna see it in a video? Sure you do, locked-and-loaded right after the break.

[Via T3]

We aren't etching this in stone just yet, but we've seen numerous reports claiming that the recent partnership between 3 and Skype will soon lead to an actual piece of hardware. Reportedly, the 3Skypephone will be available on October 29th "for a pre-launch," and will be officially official on November 2nd. Specs wise, it should feature free calls to other Skype users / 3Skypephone owners, a two-megapixel camera, video capturing and an MP3 player. Interested consumers can supposedly choose from three different colors, and it should be available on the "£12 ($25) Mix and Match 100 tariff which offers 100 minutes or texts or any mix of the two." Ah well, at least we've but a few days left to find out for sure, eh?

[Via UK Phone News]

Details are pretty light on this one, but Reuters is now reporting that Skype and UK cellphone operator 3 are currently working on a new handset that promises to "make Internet calls mobile." According to Reuters, the phone is expected to "work in the normal way," but also include an option to let users bypass all those hefty cellphone charges and contact other Skype users directly in order to save a few bucks. We assume that means Skype will operate over 3G data, although that's yet to be confirmed by either party. We should know more soon enough, however, as the handset is apparently on track to be released before the end of the year.

For those not courageous enough to give the SoonR Talk workaround a go, fret not, as Skype has finally arrived (for realz) on the iPhone. SHAPE Services has introduced IM+ for Skype for iPhone, which is simply a Safari web application that enables one to "access the Skype ecosystem from the mobile environment." Reportedly, the app was "designed especially for the iPhone's touchscreen," and best of all, it's being offered up gratis "for a limited time." So go on, point your iPhone to SkypeforiPhone.com and get to to yappin', ya heard?

For those only interested in fielding VoIP calls on an iPhone, we're pretty sure Cisco could hook you up, but if you've been wondering how to utilize Skype on your Apple iPhone, this here workaround spills the beans. Admittedly, this method is far from seamless, but by installing the famed SoonR Talk application on your home PC and logging into the AJAX-enabled SoonR website on your handset, a new way of calling instantly emerges. As with other handsets that support AJAX interfaces, you can reportedly view and call Skype buddies through your iPhone, but you should be aware that SkypeOut credits will be used due to the PSTN leg needed to dial your mobile. Inelegant as it may be, VoIP has now invaded the (non-Cisco) iPhone.

If you believe everything you read, then the long-rumored Skype for UIQ may well be en route. Sony Ericsson's recently announced P1 may have let the Skype out of the bag with its whitepaper mention of "Skype – Voice over IP application that lets the user make mobile phone calls over the Internet." While this could be a typo, we're thinking (and hoping) that an announcement may be just around then bend. If you are in the know and can help debunk or substantiate the rumor, drop us a line.

[Thanks, Teemu]

It seems that a cold day in hell will have to arrive before some stuffy mobile operators don't let customers do what they want to with their handsets and purchased data services. In the latest round of madness, Vodafone users in Europe are having multiple issues using wireless VoIP clients on their handsets (usually smartphones) based on selective blocking techniques by Vodafone. While we're not yet calling the carrier "Vader"fone with an evil and dark helmet as the corporate logo, we feel for those European Voda customers. The carrier is now being called on the carpet for not meeting interconnection obligations and disabling Internet telephony on handsets that it sells -- which was inevitable we think. One rather blatant misstep by Vodafone has the carrier actually blocking calls to customers of Truphone, the VoIP service that brought the lawsuit against Voda. Want more? How's this: Voda handsets are also reportedly blocking Skype services to users of its mobile Internet service. Part of Voda's shaky response includes these lines of piffle: "Vodafone believes that VOIP-over-mobile (can't even get VoIP right, heh) is not yet a mature service proposition as it does not have guaranteed quality of service, and would fall short of the customer experience demanded of any service we launch. To ensure a solid end-to-end customer experience, this service would require in-depth testing, billing integration and customer service support which is currently not available." We call shenanigans here. Unlocked Nokia N95, here we come.

Routing calls every which way has been going on forever (well, almost), and Hip-IP's Mobigater Pro doesn't differ a whole lot from other Skype-to-cellphone channelers that we've seen in the past. Essentially, the device seamlessly "transfers your Skype calls to your mobile phone without the use of SkypeOut credits," as it connects to your mobile via an internal SIM card. As predicted, it interfaces with your PC via plain ole USB, and users can not only ensure that they never miss an incoming Skype call, but they can phone up other Skype users around the globe just by using minutes from their mobile plan. The device can even redirect calls to five different handsets, but considering the £185.99 ($373) pricetag required for such a luxury, only the heaviest of yappers need apply. Click on through for a shot of the rear.

[Via Wired]

Forget personalized ringtones and ringbacks, the next tween obsession has arrived in the form of Push Ringer, which "enables a caller to push an outgoing ringtone to the receiving phone -- allowing the caller, not the called person -- to set the tone." We're assuming you're either elated or sighing mightily after reading that, but there's 7.7 million reasons why you wish you would've implemented it first. A group of deep-pocketed investors have sunk $7.7 million into Emotive Communications' flagship idea, which temporarily overrides the phone's preset ringer, and moreover, allows the recipient of the surprise sound-byte to "instantly buy a copy" if they so desire. Notably, this very service has already taken the VoIP world over, as Skype users are probably more familiar with the RingJacker concept. Now, who's down for inventing the Push Ringer Reverser to send a "you got punk'd" clip back at the egotistical sender?

[Via The Raw Feed]

The world's second-largest carrier is using CeBIT to demonstrate something very un-telecom-giant-like: integration with Internet calling services. Perhaps realizing that VoIP isn't about to just disappear like a bad dream, Vodafone has thrown together a demo app called "Starfish" that connects its handsets to all manner of voice-enabled IM services -- Skype included. Voda's wireless data network can breathe a sigh of relief, though; calls are mercifully routed via the traditional voice airwaves to some magical black box in the carrier's control, which then switches the remainder of the call over to the 'Net. Of course, such goodness stands to lose Vodafone fistfuls of cash, since calls that were once billed at international rates are now nothing more than a local hop to the radio base station -- no wonder, then, that the company is being wishy-washy about Starfish ever seeing the light of day: "We have not yet decided if we will launch it, or the commercial terms and prices."