I’m not sure how I’m going to use this yet; hopefully it will work with Google Voice!

Verizon Wireless USED to be one of the most closed, protective carriers on the planet, suffocating features so their users would have to pay extra for them. With the introduction of the Motorola Droid, that paradigm seemed to shift in a HUGE way. People were fearful they would limit Android %u2013 but they didn%u2019t. Now, instead of simply allowing/inviting something that%u2019s open, Verizon Wireless is going on the offensive like never before.

Starting next month, Verizon Smartphone users with data plans will enjoy free and unlimited Skype-to-Skype calls to anyone on the planet. And you%u2019ll enjoy amazingly cheap Skype International calls as well. All this from Verizon Wireless%u2019 3G network.

Holy smokes %u2013 THIS is a huge move. It will be interesting to see how the company deals with potential %u201Ccaps%u201D on what they call %u201Cunlimited data%u201D plans. I really have no idea where this will take us%u2026 but I bet you it will take other carriers like AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile into a decision making room where they decide they have to do the same. But will their networks buckle under the data pressure?

Skype Mobile will be offered on all 3 Verizon Android Phones %u2013 the Motorola Droid, Motorola Devour and HTC Droid Eris %u2013 as well as several other smartphones. At least for starters.

Here is the full press release:

BARCELONA, SPAIN; BASKING RIDGE, NJ, UNITED STATES; AND LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG %u2014 At the 2010 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Verizon Wireless and Skype today announced a strategic relationship that will bring Skype to Verizon Wireless smartphones in March. The new Skype mobile%u2122 product enhances Verizon Wireless%u2019 smartphones for users who have data plans by offering a new way to call around the globe, while also giving hundreds of millions of Skype users around the world the opportunity to communicate with friends, family and business colleagues in the United States using Verizon Wireless.

The two companies have created an exclusive, easy-to-use Skype mobile offering for 3G smartphones. Verizon Wireless 3G smartphone users with data plans can use Skype mobile to:

* make and receive unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to any Skype user around the globe on America%u2019s most reliable wireless network;
* call international phone numbers at competitive Skype Out calling rates;
* send and receive instant messages to other Skype users; and
* remain always connected with the ability to see friends%u2019 online presence.

Initially, Skype mobile will be available on millions of best-selling Verizon Wireless 3G smartphones with data plans, including the BlackBerry� Storm%u2122 9530, Storm2%u2122 9550, Curve%u2122 8330, Curve%u2122 8530, 8830 World Edition and Tour%u2122 9630 smartphones, as well as DROID by Motorola, DROID ERIS%u2122 by HTC and Motorola DEVOUR%u2122.

John Stratton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless, said, %u201CSkype mobile on Verizon Wireless changes the game. For Verizon Wireless%u2019 more than 90 million customers, Skype mobile adds great value because we%u2019re effectively giving customers with smartphones and data plans the option to extend their unlimited calling community to hundreds of millions of Skype users around the globe. And you%u2019re not limited to using a single type of phone; we%u2019ll have nine smartphones ready right at launch in March.%u201D

Josh Silverman, chief executive officer of Skype, noted, %u201CPeople want to take their Skype conversations with them wherever they go, whether it%u2019s on a PC, TV or increasingly mobile phones. Verizon Wireless will give U.S. consumers the best Skype experience on mobile phones and will truly change the way people call their friends and family internationally.%u201D

Customers interested in learning more about Skype mobile for Verizon Wireless smartphones can visit www.verizonwireless.com/skypemobile. Additional information about the service will be available next month.

Visit www.verizonwireless.com for more information about Verizon Wireless or follow the company at http://twitter.com/verizonwireless. Learn more and download Skype at www.skype.com or follow the company at http://twitter.com/skypemobile.

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[Verizon Wireless via Engadget via AndroidForums, Thanks CRPercodani]

Google is getting better with social networking and real-time search. I think this will be very useful since many people already use Google Maps. I like the idea that I can find out what others are “buzzing” about near me. I’m sure I’ll be able to find out all kinds of interesting stuff. It’s just another easy way of finding out what others know. A system for mass knowledge sharing…and I love sharing my massive knowledge! :)

These two videos do a great job of explaining your options with Google Voice depending on if you use it with your existing number, or use it with a Google number.

Use Google Voice with your existing number:

Use it with a Google number:

Finally! Now iPhone users can have access to Google Voice. About time! Welcome to the party people!