If you've got a PSP-2000 and a hankering for some VoIP on the run, Sony has finally brought its Skype-friendly PSP headset to US retail. Unfortunately, it won't work with those original fatty PSPs, and at $30 you've gotta ask yourself how much you'll really be using it for -- the original price was set at $20. That said, it's undoubtedly the easiest way to get up and running with Skype and in-game voice chat on the PSP, since it used to require two separate accessories to pull it off. Oh, and if you're Skype curious, be sure to check out the how-to guide over at PSP Fanboy.

Sure, the iPhone is cool looking, works out a lot, and is really good at math... but it can't do VoIP, can it? Well, yes it can -- and you can, thanks to a company called Fring and a piece of ingenious software (for jailbreakers only). Using the native app, it's now possible to place and receive calls via your WiFi connection, thus making AT&T CEOs cry like little babies. Besides doing Skype and the like, the app also lets you connect for chats via MSN Messenger, ICQ, GTalk, SIP, Twitter, AIM, and Yahoo!, which should make this an attractive package even if you don't want to harness the raw power of IP telephony. You can get the application for free by loading up Installer with the company's repo. Check the video after the break to see the magic happen.

[Via Zatz Not Funny!]

Sony's do-everything-except-for-make-calls mylo has been updated to firmware version 1.100, and is now available at Sony's support site as a 61MB download. Because you ran out of things to do with your mylo about, say, ten minutes after unboxing it, rejoice -- the update adds WMV file support, SHOUTcast widget support (the widget is a separate download), a "Game" item on the HOME menu for easier access to all those games you downloaded to the COM-2 unit, and, of course, improved "system stability".

[Via Pocketables]

Carriers have been making some strong strides in the direction of open access, and the recent 700MHz auction was a particular win for consumers, but the FCC isn't quite ready to go whole hog here. The commission has turned down Skype's request that the FCC expand 1968's Carterphone landline ruling to apply to the mobile industry, which would mean that operators would be required to let any device run on their network as long as it doesn't do damage. If you'll hear Verizon or AT&T tell it, that's what they're doing already, but Skype obviously wants some protection for its bandwidth-hogging, carrier revenue-threatening P2P VoIP app, and the FCC isn't quite ready to fork it over.

Remember that Skype plugin being written to run natively on the Apple TV? It's out today, and get it while the gettin's good because we aren't expecting any of these hacks to continue working after the take 2 update gets pushed out in the near future. Let us know how it is, would you?

Mmm, nothing tastes quite like a fresh batch of homebrew hacks on day-old firmware. PSP owners yearning to get their Skype on need wait no more. The M33 team has released a custom version of Sony's 3.90 firmware available via the new Network Update or directly over that interwoven web of glowing tubes. Really, what more could you ask for on a Friday?

[Via PSP Fanboy]

Weird. After making such a fuss, Sony Japan just delayed Skype on PSP services in Japan. A move with a definite knock-on effect for the rest of world. The cause of which seems to be Sony's two microphone products -- the single pack PSPJ-15010 and twin pack PSPJ-15011 -- which "did not meet the Skype specifications" and thus failed the certification process. Something you think Sony would have known well before the eve of the scheduled January 24th launch. We'll let you know when a new date is announced.

Update: This just in from Sony, "the SCEJ announcement regarding the delay of the PSP microphone peripheral and Skype service doesn't have any impact on the North American (or European) launches of Skype for PSP, which will coincide with the PSP firmware upgrade slated for the end of January." Straight from the horse, as it were.

The Apple TV isn't just getting Cupertino's updates, apparently. According to aficionados of the little silver box, a Canadian teen who has hacked his way through a wireless keyboard workaround and a GPS plugin used for an in-car Apple TV setup, is developing a native Skype client for device. Brandon Holland, the hacker in question, says that the plugin will take advantage of the Skype API, and will allow a user to make calls and send text messages using a standard USB headset or USB phone. Text will be entered via the remote, or so he says. Right now there's no date for the release, but we suspect you'll be hearing about it before long... so stay tuned.

Sony invites you to "see it all" at their booth in the Central Hall, but you're hard-pressed to actually do so due to both sheer square footage and the immense volume of bodies jostling each other in between stations. The consumer electronics giant's got no shortage of bedazzling gadgetry out on the floor here, and we braved the teeming hordes to collate the following eye candy for you.

We checked out a working demo version of Skype on the PSP at Sony's booth and are pleased to report that audio quality was pretty decent -- certainly comparable to what we experience when using Skype either on a PC or on the receiving end of one. The only caveat is a bit of lag time in the audio transmission, less than a second but enough to be noticeable. The interface is super simple -- just select the Skype icon and you can see your buddy list of who's online; select someone to ring them up. At the demo station the headset in use was just a regular PSP headset jury-rigged up to the video out jack via the remote control cable -- not something we'll see in production. Since third-party manufacturers will be free to make their own PSP Skype headsets, there should sooner or later be some range of options available for headsets to use according to taste.

Philips really isn't blowing us away with this pair of VoIP phones, but at least the prices are right and the aesthetics are nice. The VoIP251 (pictured) lets you make Skype calls over DECT 6.0 cordless tech, with a base station that can plug into your PC over USB to get to those sweet cheap-phone-replacement internets. The VoIP151 (after the break) keeps it a bit more basic, plugging straight into your computer with USB. Both phones feature a small built-in display for browsing your contacts, and Mac and PC compatibility. Both phones will arrive in April for $50 and $30, respectively.

Given that we just learned that Skype for PSP would actually be coming to fruition, it follows logic that a dedicated microphone would surface. This one, however, is quite curious -- we're seeing a device that appears to be the microphone created for the PSP's use with Skype on a respectable Japanese website, but weirdly enough, there's a "Copyright 2005" splash in the bottom left corner. Additionally, Famitsu has a couple of shots of the purported interface, and while all of this is perfectly murky right now, head on over to the read link and see what you can make of it.

[Via JGadgets, thanks J]

Another day, another Skype phone. Belkin's doing its best to not stand out here at CES with the Desktop Internet Phone for Skype -- a $99.99, um, internet phone for Skype. Among the absolutely dazzling array of features is the ability to take / receive calls without having to turn on your computer, automatic Skype login and the ability to plug directly into one's router for immediate use. Unfortunately, it seems Belkin's site isn't exactly in the mood to divulge an image of this thing, but judging by the sound of it, you're not missing much.

As if we didn't already know, Sony just spit out a press release announcing the availability of Skype on PSP courtesy of a firmware update due later this month. After the update, a Skype icon will be available under the Network menu, allowing users to create a new account or login with their existing one. Otherwise, it's Skype as usual: free calls between Skype users; SkypeOut to make calls to regular old phones; SkypeIn to receive calls on your PSP (just don't answer the phone in front of a potential mate). There is one notable caveat however: Skype will only work on the PSP-2000 (ie: PSP Slim, PSP Lite, PSP Petite). We're not sure if there's a hardware limitation preventing the original PSP from using the service but our best guess is that whatever microphone attachment is released may not be compatible with the older model. Also, no word if Skype functionality will be enabled in-game. More as we hear it, folks.