Skype will officially pull the wraps off its Apple iPhone application Tuesday, but it seems like every reporter with an iPhone got a look at the application over the weekend. Users will be able to Skype-inate over WiFi, including free calls to other Skype users and the whole cheaper calls bit via SkypeOut. A Skype version for the BlackBerry will appear in May. PC World says that users won't be able to place calls over a cellular data network; this is a protective sop thrown to the carriers so the app won't (supposedly) diminish long-distance and roaming minutes. Presence and IM work the same and go over whatever data network is available; cellular or WiFi. Skype for iPhone will use phone numbers directly from the iPhone's address book and will also helpfully display Skype contact photos. Conference calling is available, but [+]

On Thursday, Nimbuzz released a significant upgrade to its iPhone application including integration into SkypeOut and 10 SIP networks for cheap international phone calls over WiFi, plus an app to enable calls on an iPod Touch. New features include the introduction of a dial pad and the ability to make VoIP calls to landlines and mobiles via Skype-Out. Nimbuzz provides the available Skype credit left on the dial pad when using Skype Out for phone calls to landlines and mobile phones. New VoIP call options are available through the company's global affiliate SIP partners, including Gizmo5, Vyke, and SIPgate. The networks are integrated into the interface to use Nimbuzz for cheap international calls to landlines and mobile phones over WiFi. A two week online banner campaign to promote iPhone SIP calling functionality will be conducted on partner sites Gizmo5, [+]

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 [+]

Continuing its forward march into the business world, Skype today announced the beta version of Skype for SIP for business users. With 438,000 IP PBXes shipped worldwide in 2008, there's a big market for Skype to tap into if it can master the SMB and channels game. The Skype For SIP service allows SIP-based IP PBXes to route calls through Skype for lower cost landline and mobile rates around the world. It also enables inbound calls from Skype users directly into an IP PBX system. Additionally, users in more than 20 countries can purchase Skype-In numbers to enable inbound "virtual" local number calling through Skype. Applicants for the beta test need to be businesses, have an installed SIP-based IP PBX system and a level of technical expertise available to configure said IP PBX. The initial beta will be available for a [+]

On Monday, Primus Telecommunications Group announced it and three affiliated holding companies were undertaking "consensual financial restructuring" with various debt holders - Chapter 11 bankruptcy by most any other name. Under the bankruptcy proceedings, the holding companies would shed more than 50 percent of their principal debit obligations - around $315 million - reduce interest payments by more than 50 percent, and extend certain debt maturities in exchange for stock and warrants to the debtors. Before entering bankruptcy, Primus had anywhere from $500 million to $1 billion in debt and $100 million to $500 million in assets. None of Primus' operating companies in the United States, Australia, Canada, India, Europe and Brazil are included in the filing, and all operating units are expected to continue to manage and operate their businesses without interruption as a result of the filing. If anything, the [+]

VoIP provider ooma has just announced a series of premier Google Voice Extensions (GVE). The company says the new enhancements will simplify the Google Voice user experience; we're more interested in how those features were added. Google Voice features ooma is adding/supporting within its Premier (i.e. you gotta pay for it) package include: caller ID integration, allowing ooma users to display their Google Voice caller ID on outbound calls from ooma hardware without having to dial additional call prompts; forwarding inbound calls made to an ooma phone directly to a Google Voice number for routing; explicit forwarding of Google Voice calls to a specific handset in a home; an announcement of who in the household the call is for based upon which Google Voice account originated the call; and one-touch voice mail from ooma handsets (no need to dial a [+]

Apparently there is venture capital for VoIP. Growing VoIP service provider Jajah has taken in $2.75 million so far of an anticipated $5 million fourth round of private funding, say reports. Investors in the most recent round have not yet been disclosed; previously, Jajah raised $23 million from Globespan Capital Partners, Intel Capital, Deutsche Telekom and Sequoia Capital. Over the past three years, Jajah broke away from the me-too mobile web VoIP play of free client-to-client calls and oh-so-cheap international rates. The Silicon Valley-based company moved into providing VoIP back-end operations a year ago, picking up Yahoo and a number of other customers along the way. It's got a strategic partnership with Intel to get its technology onboard next-generation PCs, and it has rolled out a bunch of software clients to support VoIP calling on WiFi. [+]

The hot topic in telephony service provider circles is the media phone. The upside revenue potential for media phones is huge. In-Stat analysts project that this new broadband device category will quickly replace more traditional telephones and the standard voice service packages offered in homes and businesses worldwide. In fact, In-Stat estimates that media phones will generate revenue approaching $7-11 billion by 2013. Imagine something a bit smaller than a laptop with a touch-screen interface and a cordless handset that delivers wireline voice quality. Enjoy a device that is: • "Always on," ever ready to deliver the latest news, weather and traffic, help find restaurants or show times, or anything else you need to keep up with the speed of life • A consolidated directory of family contacts, a home calendar and a to-do list • A digital photo frame, allowing [+]

Now you can use your RingCentral service on your iPhone. RingCentral Mobile allows you to access commonly used features without ever logging in from your computer. Access your RingCentral service from your iPhone with RingCentral Mobile and: • Show your RingCentral number as the Caller ID when making a business call from your iPhone • View, play and call back your RingCentral voicemails with visual voicemail • Receive and view internet faxes sent to your RingCentral account [+]

Polycom has rolled out a media phone for the business environment. Unlike the media phone Avaya introduced last week, the VVX 1500 includes a "personal" video conferencing system. In addition to video conferencing, the device includes a full-featured VoIP phone with HD voice, an XML-based open API for customization and a "microbrowser" for real time delivery of personalized web content and integration with business applications. The phone's software bundle includes Polycom's Productivity suite for enabling users to initiate and control audio conference calls right from the VVX's screen, as well as the ability to record calls locally using a flash drive in the phone's USB port. There's also a bundle to a free web portal for information updates. At a list price of $1099, the VVX 1500 includes a 7-inch color LCD touch-screen display, the aforementioned USB port, SIP, power over Ethernet [+]