One of my first thoughts on realizing that Skype's mobile client would now work with smartphones was "great, free phone calls." I thought about canceling my mobile service, getting a smartphone and signing up for an unlimited data plan -- with no voice service.

Well, that might still work (if you're willing to always use an external headset. Skype won't route sound through your smartphone's speaker), but the calls won't exactly be free.

SkypeOut calls to telephones in the U.S. and Canada have been free since May. But that was obviously too good to last, and the company said at the time that the promotion would only last through the end of the year. Skype general manager Don Albert told the New York Times that people have shown that they're willing to make SkypeOut calls if they're reasonably priced.

To that end, starting January 1st, Skype will charge $29.95 a year for unlimited SkypeOut calling, which is still a pretty good deal if you ask me. And if you sign up before January 31st, you'll get service for just $14.95. If you don't have a plan, calls within the U.S. and Canada will cost 2.1 cents per minute. Rates to other countries vary.