GOOGLE AND SPRINT RESPOND TO GOOGLE VOICE INTEGRATION ISSUES

You may recall from yesterday that early adopters were having a variety of issues after activating (or attempting to activate) Sprint's new Google Voice integration feature. Well, a full day has passed, and we've had several calls with GV lead Vincent Paquet as well as Brian Smith, Sprint's director of product development. Both executives have said that their respective companies have been hard at work on resolutions to each of the issues we outlined Thursday night, and some customers we spoke to yesterday are now back online.

Google is not commenting on a voicemail security bug, that inadvertently granted management-level access to people that one user called from the Google Voice web app, vulnerability, but has confirmed that it's not a threat today. The second issue was that some GV customers who were up and running with Sprint integration suddenly found themselves unable to use the service. This issue has been pegged to the removal of an accounting code -- GGLVOICE -- that some Sprint reps have accidentally removed. The carrier is working to prevent this from occurring in the future, and those already affected should soon be able to call in for support. Next up, some international calls were being processed through Sprint, rather than through GV, even after users activated their integration. This has been tied to the accidental removal of the same accounting code, and Google has offered to reimburse affected individuals.

Finally, many users, notably those on personal accounts with corporate discount, have been unable to activate GV integration. Sprint has promised a mid-May resolution, and we'll certainly keep you updated. Users with these issues are still being instructed to share their concerns on the Google Voice Forum, which as of now is finally getting the attention it needs. You can also post a comment below, as both companies have been monitoring here, too. Things are looking much better today than they were yesterday, but our position remains unchanged: Unless you've already activated Sprint/Google Voice integration, please stand by until both companies have had a chance to work out these (very significant) kinks.

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.

SPRINT INTEGRATES GOOGLE VOICE

Sprint and Google have announced that Sprint has integrated Google Voice into their network. Sprint customers will be able to use their existing Sprint mobile number as their Google Voice number and have it ring multiple other phones simultaneously. So now, calls to your Sprint mobile number can easily be answered from your office or your home phone, or even your computer through Gmail. Calls from Gmail and text messages sent from google.com/voice will also display your Sprint number. This basically gives Sprint customers all the benefits of Google Voice without the need to change or port their number.

Google Voice users can choose to replace their Sprint number with their Google Voice number when placing calls or sending text messages from their Sprint handset. This feature works on all Sprint phones and gives Sprint users all the benefits of Google Voice without the need for an app.

In both cases, Google Voice replaces Sprint voicemail, giving Sprint customers transcribed voicemail messages available online and sent via email and/or text message. International calls made from Google Voice users’ Sprint phones will be connected by Google Voice at our very low rates, and Sprint customers will also have access to the rest of Google Voice’s features, like creating personalized voicemail greetings based on who’s calling, call recording, blocking unwanted callers and more.

SKYPE TO BECOME AD-SUPPORTED

Skype has always had an issue with becoming and staying profitable. Because of that, it has been sold and bought many times over. Things have only gotten worse as companies like Google have entered the VoIP fray with products like Google Voice.

Skype has just announced that it will begin showing advertisements as part of the Skype for Windows home tab starting later this week, which will be the first time that advertising has been promoted within the app. Ads will start rolling out in the US, UK and Germany first, with other countries to follow, while some of the first advertisers will include Groupon, Nokia, Universal Pictures and Visa, who have opted to buy daily ad campaigns.

Skype’s approach to ubiquitous ads in the desktop app isn’t entirely noxious: there’ll be a “hide ad” button for users fed up with seeing ads on a daily basis. Skype is also making it easier for people to reach out to the buyers of an ad space with a “Click & Call” button that makes ordering a proffered deal just a click away. They will also add a new “share” button that will hook into social networks like Facebook and Twitter.

GOOGLE VOICE NOW ALLOWS NUMBER PORTING

Google has officially implemented incoming number portability as of Wednesday evening. With just a few simple clicks you can use your existing mobile number instead of one that Google Voice gives you. Of course, this isn't free, but the cost of $20 is relatively low.

To port your number into your Google Voice account, simply click on Settings in the top right corner, and then Voice settings. Now, on the phone tab next to your Google Voice number, click on Change / Port. Now click on “I want to use my existing mobile number instead” and follow the on-screen instructions to port your number.

GOOGLE'S FREE CALLING THROUGH GMAIL EXTENDED A YEAR

Google announced their free calling through Gmail in the US and Canada will be extended for another year. The free calling promotion was set expire at the end of this year, however ”In the spirit of holiday giving and to help people keep in touch in the new year,” Google will add another year to the promotion.

The promotion applies to all calls made from within Gmail, and is completely separate from Google Voice, which also affords free calling to the U.S. and Canada. Gmail’s recently added voice calling feature is thought to be a prelude to the eventual addition of VoIP services to Google Voice. [BGR]

RUMOR: SKYPE GOING TO THE CLOUD

TechCrunch is reporting that popular voice service, Skype, is gearing up for a big cloud-based play. This would presumably include web-based voice-calling, and possibly even video and chat services as well.

In addition to the web move, it seems that Skype is starting to focus and set the company’s sights on the enterprise world. With Google Voice now available for Google Apps customers (and some sort of Enterprise-styled Google Voice service possibly coming soon), we’re wondering Skype’s next move here. TechCrunch throws out the concept of having Skype possibly integrated into Microsoft’s cloud offerings, or even possibly extending the Skype relationship with Facebook into something much larger.

CALL RECORDING AVAILABLE IN GOOGLE'S GMAIL

TechCrunch is reporting that some users have begun to see a new “record” button show up in Gmail’s call window. The feature has been available to Google Voice users for quite some time by hitting the number “4″ on your phone’s dial-pad after receiving an inbound call. After activating call recording, both parties are notified that the conversation is being recorded with a verbal queue. Google has yet to publish a press release announcing the feature or detailing when it will be rolled out to all users. [BGR]

FCC SET TO APPROVE RULES REQUIRING CARRIERS TO NOTIFY USERS WHEN THEY ARE ABOUT TO GO OVER LIMITS

The FCC has apparently heard enough complaints and horror stories from consumers about the billing practices of mobile carriers, at least where it pertains to excessive overage charges.  The FCC is taking aim at the unexpected surcharges carriers charge when consumers unknowingly stray from their geographical boundaries or monthly allowance.  Back in May the FCC setup the Consumer Task Force, charged with finding a solution to this problem.  The task force returned an obvious solution: have carriers notify consumers if their usage will cause surcharges to be added to their bill.  They recommend that carriers use a text or voice message to alert consumers.  AT&T already does this for iPad users, so applying this on a larger scale should not be an undo burden on carriers. [Engadget]

GOOGLE PULLS PLUG ON 1-800-GOOG-411

Google has decided to stop the local voice search service 1-800-GOOG-411.  This once popular service allowed users to call and do voice searches.  This was especially useful for finding restaurants and retail stores in an unfamiliar area.  However, with the proliferation of the smartphone and Google's voice search app, users of the service have dwindled. Google has given users until November 12th to find an alternative. [Engadget]

GV MOBILE+ APPROVED BY APPLE

Yesterday, it was GV Connect getting the green light from Apple for the iPhone, today it is GV Mobile+.  Like GV Connect, GV Mobile+ allows iPhone users to natively have access to Google Voice.

GV Mobile+ is the updated version of GV Mobile, the first Google Voice app for the iPhone.  GV Moble was approved by Apple then abruptly revoked and removed from the App Store.  The developer continued to work on the app, releasing it to the jailbreak community, and it is more polished with more features than before. You can purchase GV Mobile+ for $2.99 on iTunes.

GOOGLE VOICE VOXOX GETTING A FACE-LIFT

Google Voice's desktop software VoxOx is getting a facelift.  Gone is the black and red in favor of a more updated look.  Functionality will remain the same, which is a good thing. 

VoxOx lets users call, text, chat, fax, share files and more for free or cheaply.  You can sign up for an invitation at VoxOx. [Gizmodo]