TechCrunch is saying that Skype is looking to buy Gizmo5, a SIP-based service that isn’t quite as popular as the former, but works pretty well. SIP is an open standard that works with many, many devices—Gizmo 5 works with Google Voice even—so this could be a pretty good move even if Skype gets out of legal trouble. Imagine piping your free Google Voice number through Skype to get free calls like you can now with Gizmo5. [TechCrunch]

Asus has also made the interface more icon-based/finger-ready, and improved support for conference calls. We don’t know the specs yet, but I’d like to see the first generation’s VGA camera and 802.11g upgraded. And if Asus wants to have a shot with this thing, they better look to slash the price by half, too. [Asus]

I guess the “3-in-1″ means that you can move it, talk and listen to it. What a waste of plastic. [One More Net]

Chances are this acquisition won’t impact the day-to-day Skype experience on your computer or phone or pricing. Though here is hoping that the new guys at the helm will figure out ways to make Skype calling available on, you know, in-flight Wi-Fi, AT&T’s 3G network and Android phones. [Skype]

Updated, courtesy of our readers and Google’s Andy Rubin:

Here are the facts, clear and simple: While the first generation of our Android software did not support full-featured VoIP applications due to technology limitations, we have worked through those limitations in subsequent versions of Android, and developers are now able to build and upload VoIP services. As we told USA Today earlier in the week Google did not reject an application from Skype or from any other company that provides VoIP services. To suggest otherwise is false. At this point no software developer — including Skype — has implemented a complete VoIP application for Android. But we’re excited to see — and use — these applications when they’re submitted, because they often provide more choice and options for users. We also look forward to the day when consumers can access any application, including VoIP apps, from any device, on any network.”

Original article follows.

As the New York Times Bits blog correctly notes, Friday’s Google “testimony” could very well be a classic case of the proverbial pot calling the kettle black.

We don’t know what Google will say, of course, but educated guesses falling in the “they’ll probably argue that Google Voice should be frolicking freely on the iPhone” camp would probably yield the best return on investment (should you be one who bets on FCC hearings).

And as Google hypothetically makes that argument, we’ll all be shaking our heads in the wings, fully aware that Android users are only able to use Skype Lite on their phones. This version of the popular VoIP service only allows for calls over traditional phone lines. While these Skype Lite calls are still free or relatively inexpensive, users are still sacrificing call minutes to make them. Boo.

Perhaps a full-featured Skype is too evil for a company that notoriously shuns the word? [USA Today via Bits Twitter]

Searchme: Searchme apps have been available for other mobile platforms—iPhone, Symbian and Android—for quite a while now, only now coming to Windows Mobile in free beta form. Searchme, for the vast majority of you who never stray from the comforting, safe embrace of Google, answers queries in screenshots of websites and various media, some of which can be played back in the results. Though the panel-based interface works best on the iPhone, the Windows Mobile version is far from ugly, and you may find it quicker for certain types of searches. Free.

TheChanner: A moderately useful mobile TV app saved by its price, TheChanner doesn’t have a particularly compelling selection of channels—they’re pipe through to your phone from a variety of preexisting free sources, though there aren’t many names that you’ll recognise. There are plenty to choose from, though, and a lot of them are fairly niche. The app itself is a bit glitchy, and as you’d expect, it’s a huge battery hog. Free.

GPS Spot: I kinda love the concept of this app: press a button, and it’ll save your location according to your device’s GPS. When you’re trying to get back to that location at a later date, it’ll tell you how to get there with a compass and distance readout. Basically, it’s for finding your car in a huge parking lot. It’s four dollars, which you can’t really escape paying—the trial version is fairly useless.

Skype 3.0: We covered this before, but it’s worth mentioning again: there’s a new Skype client for WinMo. You can text of SkypeOut credit, though unfortunately people can’t text you back. The new file-sending/receiving feature, though, is what makes this release awesome.

AIM 2.0: The official AIM app for Windows Mobile has hit 2.0, landing an interface lift and a new “lifestream” feature. It’s a separate tab from your main buddy list, which consolidates updates from tons of social media services (Twitter updates, Flickr friends, Facebook statuses) and presents them in a single stream, as per its name. I’m partial to multi-protocol apps like Palringo, Fring, and Nimbuzz (more on that below), although this official app isn’t half bad if AIM’s your messaging service of choice.

Numpty Physics : As a time-suck, it’s hard to beat Crayon Physics. Sadly, it never made its way to Windows Mobile, leaving physics-minded, Microsoft-using puzzle gamers with no recourse. Well, open-source Crayon Physics clone Numpty Physics will do just fine, thanks. This may be obvious, but you’ll need a touchscreen phone to play. Free.

Nimbuzz 2.0: This multi-protocol instant messaging app has been updated, and is largely unchanged: the interface is tweaked a bit, and you can now report your location to other Nimbuzz users. So why should you care about this then? One word: SkypeOut. You can now make calls using SkypeOut credit, which, assuming your carrier isn’t too stringent about such things, will turn your phone into an ultra-cheap international calling machine. Of course you could just use the Skype app, but as is the point of these types of all-in-one apps, Nimbuzz could save you a few screen taps/button presses, and a little time.

Auto Call Recorder: Super-simple (and free!) call recording. I’ve had trouble finding a decent solution for this in the past, since apps are generally either paid, crippled trialware or not widely compatible, so it’s a relief to find one that works. Indispensable for interviews, conference calls and the like. Note: this app is to be used for good, not evil. Thanks.

This list is in no way definitive. If you’ve spotted a great app that hit the store this month, give us a heads up or let us know in the comments. Have a good rest of your weekend, everybody!