Republic Wireless, a division of Bandwidth.com, is finally unleashing their plan to revolutionize the mobile industry this morning. Republic Wireless is attempting to take advantage of Wi-Fi technology, which users are connected to about 60% of the time, to offer an unlimited talk, text, and web service for only $19 per month.

So how does Republic Wireless work?

When you’re in range of a Wi-Fi network, your device will automatically make all calls and send text messages over the Wi-Fi connection. When you’re not near a Wi-Fi network, your phone will revert to Sprint’s 3G network for voice, text, and data (still unlimited).

The flat fee for the plan is $19 plus taxes.

What devices will be supported on Republic Wireless?

When it launches later today, Republic Wireless will offer the entry-level LG Optimus Android 2.3 smartphone. Though the Optimus series is not the most feature-packed Android smartphone out there, you will be able to get the device for $180 (billed on your first month’s bill of $199). In an effort to bolster its initial userbase, Republic Wireless is slashing $100 off this price if you order by November 27th using coupon code welcome19.

Other devices are coming to Republic Wireless soon, though the devices and pricing have not yet been announced. It’s possible we’ll see some higher end devices come to Republic Wireless, but those will come at off contract prices.

When can I sign up?

The service is launching to consumers later today, and the phones will be shipping on a first come, first served basis. The phone and service come with a 30 day money-back guarantee, so you can return the device within the first 30 days of service for a full refund.

Is Android and Me willing to test this service out for me?

To show my Minnesota acclimation: You betcha! I will be ordering one of these devices as soon as Republic Wireless opens up the ordering system. After a week or two of testing, I’ll report how my experience with Republic Wireless has been and let you know whether this is a viable alternative to the traditional carrier models.

If you simply can’t wait for my report, you can head over to Republic Wireless to sign up. Don’t forget to use the coupon code above.

Anyone out there planning on picking one of these up? Do you like the way Republic Wireless is taking advantage of Wi-Fi networks to fuel your cell usage?

With the discovery of a vulnerable spot in their Android app, which left much of users’ private information unsecured, Skype surely disappointed its loyal customers last week. Upon finding that their application for Android was putting people in danger, Skype informed everyone that they would be fixing the problem soon, and sure enough, there is an update available this morning. The update not only fixes the security bridge though, Skype has decided to give us an unexpected surprise!

Do you remember the days when Skype was only available through Verizon? We were all begging Skype to give us an official app for Android, which would allow us to make VOIP calls over WiFi, without the need to go through a 3G network, or Verizon for that matter. We are all happy with Skype now, being able to fully benefit from what it has to offer, only over WiFi though. Before this morning, using Skype over 3G (officially) was still only available through Verizon’s Skype Mobile application, and with this new update, that limitation has vanished. Yes, Skype for Android is now able to make calls over a 3G network, any 3G network, in fact (even in the U.S.). These news should have Verizon a little upset though, because it seems like their Skype Mobile app is now completely unnecessary.

What’s in this version:
1. Security update
2. Calling over your 3G connection is available worldwide – now including the US.Skypemarket update

Well, if Skype had some of its users upset about the security issues, this is a great way to regain their satisfaction!To be able to enjoy some 3G Skype calling, head over to the Market and get your new and improved Skype version! Also, don’t forget to give us your opinions. Are you excited about this update? Satisfied? Is 3G-calling even a big deal to you?

Sprint chose Qik as their streaming video app to include with the EVO 4G, but the current version loaded on the phone does not support video calling yet. I had been trying to gain access to the latest beta to test this new feature out, but I’ve had no luck so far.

Thankfully Fring has stepped up to the table and updated their popular messaging application to support front facing cameras and video calling. The app just went live so I have not had the chance to test it with other EVO users, but that is on the agenda for my next YouTube video I film.

Fring has yet to update their blog with additional details, so check back later for a full report. We will test video calling over 3G, 4G, and WiFi.

Let’s start with the good. Verizon customers can now make unlimited Skype-to-Skype calls from their Android phone.

What is the catch though? Skype calls are routed over Verizon’s network and Skype Mobile will not even launch if you have WiFi turned on. Users will see a warning message that Skype “does not currently work on WiFi” so it is possible this feature could be supported in a future release.

So what do you do if you want to use Skype on your Android device but don’t have Verizon? Thankfully, there are many alternative Android apps witch allow you to login to Skype AND make calls over a WiFi connection for free.

One of my favorite apps is fring which is available for everyone on the Android Market. Fring allows free calling over WiFi and lets you connect with your AIM, Gtalk, ICQ, MSN, Skype, Twitter, and Yahoo friends. Users can make voice calls or chat and future versions should allow for video communications.

I have a Droid with no Verizon service, so I’m unable to give my full impressions on the Skype app. If you have tried out Skype Mobile, let us know how it performs.

As it turns out, data-only plans are available on all four top U.S. carriers! Some are cheaper than others, but Sprint and AT&T have $30/mo data-only plans. For those who mainly rely on data connectivity with their smartphone, it can mean big savings while a Voice Over IP (VOIP) app can pick up the slack for making and receiving calls.

By leveraging Google Voice free SMS (text messaging) and Gizmo5′s VOIP technology, Android and Blackberry owners may have a very tempting offer right at their feet. For example, those who are looking for a capable device for their kids, but trying not to break the bank, may now have the perfect solution; a fun device with quality apps, unlimited texting and unlimited inbound/outbound calling.

With AT&T now allowing Skype to operate over 3G, iPhone owners can do the same by purchasing Skypeout minutes for their VOIP apps. Simply purchase a used or unsubsidized smartphone and call the carrier requesting service with data only.

VOIP apps are easy to come by, but finding one that works seamlessly with a single phone number, caller ID in both directions and with acceptable voice quality seems to be more difficult. After AT&T’s recent Skype-over-3G announcement, Verizon matched them to allow select Android and Blackberry devices to do the same. All that’s left is a follow-up announcement from Google regarding a G-VOIP app or Google Voice update to allow free VOIP calls, (trumping Skype’s paid Skypeout service), seamless inbound/outbound calling with caller ID and other advanced features. Surely, this solution will meld the efforts of the recently acquired Gizmo5 with Google Voice.

A brief history of each… in mid-2007, Google acquired GrandCentral, a feature-rich call forwarding service. Features were changed/added and it was re-branded Google Voice (GV). While it is not a true Voice Over IP solution, many assume it is. Calls placed and received using GV use a standard cellular telephone network, but are forwarded to/from Level3′s phone switches where GV’s rich calling features are implemented. GV is a valuable offering and does provide cost savings when coupled with certain cell plans*, but is still dependent upon the carriers voice network and an associated voice plan.

In late 2009, Google acquired Gizmo5, a San Diego-based VOIP startup that was once eyed by Skype. With a Gizmo5 account and a VOIP app such as Sipdroid (for Android), VOIP calls can be made and received outside of the carriers voice network using one’s Google Voice number. While Sipdroid is open sourced and works well, it may be difficult for the average user to configure and unfortunately, Google is not allowing new Gizmo5 signups so we have to wait for integration to occur.

A welcome solution will involve the VOIPizing of Google Voice, allowing users to bypass voice plans altogether if they wish, using a polished and seamless interface. As this transition to usable VOIP occurs, we should see per-minute and unlimited voice plans drop in price. In order to offset this, it would be reasonable to expect more customers will upgrade to smartphones with associated data plans.

* Verizon offers Friends and Family (F&F) plans that essentially allow unlimited outbound calling and inbound as well for those who wish to forgo inbound caller ID. By making the GV access number (916.538.3466) one of your F&F numbers, calls to and from this number will not count against the calling plan. Additionally, T-Mobile customers who still have ‘MyFaves’ can do the same, but these plans have been discontinued.

“Skype mobile on Verizon Wireless changes the game. For Verizon Wireless’ more than 90 million customers, Skype mobile adds great value because we’re effectively giving customers with smartphones and data plans the option to extend their unlimited calling community to hundreds of millions of Skype users around the globe.”John StrattonChief Marketing Officer for Verizon Wireless

Skype will go head to head with existing apps like Fring which have allowed VOIP calling since last year. Look for both services to add video calling when multiple Android phones with front facing cameras hit the market over the next couple of months.

Verizon Wireless 3G smartphone users with data plans can use Skype mobile to:

• make and receive unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to any Skype user around the globe on America’s most reliable wireless network
• call international phone numbers at competitive Skype Out calling rates
• send and receive instant messages to other Skype users
• remain always connected with the ability to see friends’ online presence

It looks like they have been hard at work because we just received word Fring will now focus on video calls. Free video calls are now supported on Symbian devices and support is coming soon for other smartphone platforms.

No Android phones currently have front facing camera, but that could change in 2010. In a previous post I talked about video calls coming to Android and many of our European readers told us they have had such a service for years. It has yet to catch on in the United States, but maybe Fring and some news phones will change that.

Are video calls something you would like to see on Android phones?

Right on the heels of last week’s release of fring’s world’s 1^st full VoIP calls on Android devices, fring is setting today yet another precedent- we are releasing the world’s 1^st Skype and fring video calls over mobile.

Now for the first time ever fring users can make and receive internet video calls from mobile devices (for free), picking up their fring and Skype video calls from the road, and seeing the person they’re talking to from their mobile phone.

fring video is currently supported on Nokia touch (such as X6, N97mini,N97, 5800), N95, N95 8G and N82 devices. Coming soon on other popular platforms).