http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/02/23/lookout-launches-lookout-labs-and-its-first-android-app-the-ingenious-plan-b-hands-on-review/

I know there is Line2 that works great, but comes with a $9.95 a month pricetag.

Oh, you say, Google Voice, right? Well, almost. Out of the box, you can call for free, but it still originates a call over the cellular voice network, so you are still dinged a minute of voice time each call you make, AND, if you want to drop your wireless carrier (like I did) and just use WiFi, you are out of luck…almost…

You can piece together a solution with SIPDroid and IPKall. But, SIPDroid is STILL BUGGY in that on most phones (including mine) in that it plays audio out of the back speaker instead of the earpiece on my phone. But for now, it works for me. I can make and receive calls completely over my WiFi network – no cellular service required. This means I can make and receive free voice calls as well as completely free SMS anywhere I can get a WiFi signal. (And where I live, it is available pretty much everywhere.)

Now you can see why the cellular companies are racing to get the fastest data networks deployed! Voice service can easily be eliminated with a 4G Hotspot like the one Clearwire offers. (I tried it, and it does work, but service fees still too high in my opinion. $45-$55 is what they offered, I’m looking for $30-$35 for unlimited.)

Unfortunately, the bug in SIPDroid prevents it from being deployed mainstream. IPKall quit giving out free phone numbers for awhile, but it looks like you can get one again. So grab one now before they are gone again…

I imagine Google could easily flip a switch and not require voice minutes or the cellular service, but it is probably not in their best interests… But sooner or later they will have to do it. Wide open market. And once they do, better for us consumers.

I’d be more than happy to pay $30/month for an unlimited data plan, either 3G or 4G, NO VOICE. Anything more doesn’t meet my needs. Until then, I stick with WiFi and free hotspots.

I was very impressed with both of the tablets. Built-in WiFi, webcam, 2GB Flash, battery, color touchscreen and even a stylus. It also had a dongle for USB and hardwired Net connections. Not bad for $99.

The first thing I noticed was that it was running Android 1.6 and the Android Market was crippled. It was not the same market I was used to on my Samsung Moment.

However, as luck would have it, the Maylong had been rooted and 2.1 was available. I quickly rooted and upgraded both tablets to 2.1. How sweet it was! And, the official Android Market was unlocked.

I downloaded dozens of apps. Having 2GB of Flash was great. Once I converted my movies to the .3gP format, I was able to download dozens of movies for my kids onto the tablets.

A couple other disappointing things about the Maylong was the battery life and webcam quality. But, hey, what do you expect for $100?

Unfortunately, the screens on them are EXTREMELY fragile. My boys managed to break both of them within a few weeks of having them. And they did take extremely good care of them.

All in all, great tablet experience for $99, and I am looking forward to the next generation of $99 Android tablets!

This is simply a reference for anything related to Google’s Android Operating System. I will post anything that I think is useful or might want to refer back to in the future. Hopefully you’ll find something of interest here as well.

Enjoy!