SPRINT/GOOGLE VOICE INTEGRATION HAS MAJOR PROBLEMS, LITTLE SUPPORT

There have been a ton of complaints about the new Sprint/Google Voice integration. Some users of Google Voice are finding their accounts are suddenly deactivated due to a problem on Sprint's end. Others can't activate Google Voice at all.

But the fun doesn't stop there. Some users are having problems reverting back to their old number and having the service deactivated by Sprint. For international calls, one the major advantages of using Google Voice due to the low cost per minute, users are finding their calls are not routed through Google, but Sprint at the much higher per minute rate.

Google and Sprint clearly have their work cut out for them, but to Sprint's credit, customer service representatives that we spoke to did their best to research the situation and provide any assistance that they could. Unfortunately, the result is always the same -- reps at every level redirect callers to the Google Voice Forum, rather than an email or telephone support line.

It appears that Sprint does in fact know how to get in touch with Google, at least at the executive level. We received a joint response, sent from representatives of both companies. Surprisingly, their official position is that customers with Sprint-related Google Voice questions should contact Sprint directly. From our experience, Sprint representatives will then refer customers to Google, so that suggestion couldn't be less helpful. Unfortunately, there's no word on when we can expect these bugs to be resolved. In the meantime, it goes without saying that you should avoid activating Google Voice on your Sprint phone, unless the mobile gods have blessed you with multiple devices -- or you really don't care about being able to use your phone to actually make calls.

VERIZON AND TIME WARNER JOIN AT&T OFFERING FREE CALLS TO JAPAN

AT&T is not the only phone company, wireless or landline, that is offering free calls/texting to Japan. Verizon and Verizon Wireless customers (post-paid for Verizon Wireless) will be able to call Japan for free retroactive to March 11th through April 10th. They will also be able to receive free text and multimedia messaging to Japan during the same time period. Residential landline customers will be able to make calls to Japan during the program period at $0 per minute. Those landline customers with the Verizon World Plan will be able to call Japan without using any minutes from their monthly bank of allotted minutes. The company is even extending the program to Verizon Prepaid Phone Card charges for long-distance calls placed to Japan from the United States.

Time Warner Cable Digital Phone and business class will be able to make free calls to Japan through April 15th. The program will even be retroactive back to March 11th.

SKYPE OFFICIAL APP FOR ANDROID LAUNCHES

Skype has released an official app for the Android handsets.  Phones running version 2.1 or 2.2 can now download the app for free Skype-to-Skype calls, IM and more.  Just as with the iPhone version, the Android app will make calls over WiFi or the network, 3G included.  From the press release:

Skype today announced the release of Skype for Android™, a client for mobile handsets, built for smartphones running Android OS version 2.1 or above. With this latest release, the majority of smart phone users globally will now be able to experience the benefits of Skype on the move using either a WiFi or mobile data connection (GPRS, EDGE, 3G)*. Skype for Android is downloadable for free from the Android Market or consumers can visit www.skype.com/m to find out more details about how to get the application.
Skype for Android enables users to:
· Make free Skype-to-Skype calls over WiFi or mobile data connection (GPRS, EDGE, 3G)[1]to other Skype users anywhere in the world using Skype's SILK codec for CD-like audio quality.
· Make low rate Skype calls to landline or mobile phones
· Send and receive instant messages to one or a group of friends on Skype
· Synchronize contacts between Skype and the native address book and after synchronization place Skype calls directly from the native address book.
· See when Skype contacts are online and available to call or chat
· Easily import names and numbers to the Skype application from the native address book
· Receive calls on their Skype online number
Mark Douglas, Product Manager of Android said: "The Skype experience is ubiquitous today. More and more people are using Skype to do things together when apart. With the addition of Skype, we are pleased that Skype is now available on three of the most popular mobile platforms today: Android, iOS and Symbian"
Skype for Android™ works on compatible handsets running Android OS v2.1 and above and has been tested successfully by Skype on HTC Desire, HTC Legend, Google Nexus One, Motorola Milestone XT720, and Motorola Milestone. Skype for Android™ supports the following languages: Brazilian Portuguese, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Swedish, Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese & Traditional Chinese. [Gizmodo]