Google Voice has been all the rage lately, and this week was no exception. In addition to reports and analysis of Apple and AT&T's removal of the Google Voice app from the Apple iPhone App Store, there have been some interesting takes on the service in general. Nerd Vittles has a really good primer on how to connect the Google Voice client to any Asterisk system, as well as reports on progress for a Python interface for Google Voice. Basically, with a little tweaking you can use a Google Voice account for free U.S. calling and SMS from Asterisk phone systems by leveraging a DID with free inbound calling. Nerd Vittles provides an in-depth look at the benefits of this set-up, as well as all the code necessary to make it work. VoIP opinion blog truvoipbuzz.com takes the opposite approach in an editorial [+]

The open-source Android platform created by Google is picking up momentum in areas beyond the cell phone. In Asia, Android set-top boxes, TVs, VoIP phones, digital picture frames and even Karaoke boxes are all going to hit retail shelves shortly. A large number of Android-toting devices are expected to be on display at CEATEC, Japan's largest electronics show, including a prototype Android set-top box developed by Motorola for service provider KDDI. The Open Embedded Software Foundation (OESF) is rallying support for Android on non-phone devices. The OESF is a group of 25 companies who plan to have working groups on set-top boxes, VoIP, network and security, measurement and control, system core, application and services, marketing and education. Current members include ARM, KDDI, Japan Cable Laboratories, Alpine Electronics and Fujitsu Software Technologies, with other silicon companies contemplating participation. [+]

U.S. WiMAX carrier Clearwire is running a trial of mobile VoIP phones in Portland, Oregon and should be launching mobile voice services in 2010. The company has been discussing how it can work with its cable partners/investors to offer mobile voice services and handsets. Under the deployment plan, mobile VoIP handsets will be tested out this year with voice being incorporated into the product line in 2010. A company executive said it is testing the usage model, integration with the home phone and WiMAX network, and "how you hand off to a cellular network" like Sprint's. The VoIP-over-WiMAX technology is vitally important to cable carriers invested in Clearwire, as it offers them mobile options for bundling to more effectively compete with AT&T and Verizon. Clearwire investors Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks have the option to buy WiMAX access services [+]

While the Windows 7 beta captivated people everwhere, and beta testers are plentiful, we also looked at the new Windows operating system from a VoIP and tlephony standpoint. We use MagicJack on Windows Xp and Vista machines. A few months ago we tested the product on Windows 2000 and never got MagicJack to work with Windows 2000. Of course the company never claimed to have Windows 2000 functionality for MagicJack. When we tried MagicJack with Windows 7 our experience with Windows 2000 paid off. The operating system does not work with MagicJack. Even after installing the MagicJack upgrade for Windows XP, the product reported that MagicJack must be plugged in to USB. It was, but that is the same complaint we got with Windows 2000. Confusion and no joy with Magic Jack and Windows [+]

We received many questions and related queries about the new 883 country code and the meaning of VoIP HD, or high definition. To explain both of these developments in a way that almost everyone can understand them, our editors went to work. The result is an overview of each, with frequently asked questions specifically about the 883 country code. For instance, did you know that the 883 county code might be used by regular telephone companies? Did you also know that the first "FM quality" sound for IP networks was released in 2004? Check out our pages at Voip883HD to learn more. [+]