Ever since Google bought up VoIP company Gizmo5 last November, there's been conjecture over how exactly it is planning to fit in Gizmo5's VoIP capabilities as the missing piece to the Google Voice telephony service.

Last week, the folks over at TechCrunch got their hands on a leaked version of Google-branded version of the Gizmo5 VoIP app for Mac.

TechCrunch reported that although the app looks like the original Gizmo5 client, Google has done work to integrate it with the Google Voice address book.

What's unclear is the direction that Google intends to take with VoIP now that it has it. While most competing VoIP products are desktop-based--such as Skype, VoxOx, and ooVoo--the prevailing understanding is that Google will keep VoIP in the cloud.

Google has relatively few desktop apps--Google Chrome, Google Talk, Google Earth, Google SketchUp, and Google Desktop are notable exceptions--so it wouldn't be unreasonable to believe that Google could also release a desktop version of a VoIP product, especially since Gizmo5 desktop backbone already exists. A Google-wrought VoIP service that links desktop features with Google Voice's calling service could potentially threaten Skype, which is nudging its desktop app into new territory with a basic screensharing feature.

Yet, since TechCrunch is uncertain if the copy it received is at all recent, and in light of Google's stated preference for keeping VoIP in the cloud, TechCrunch's discovery of the app may already be moot or overblown--though there are petitions you can sign, like this one, to agitate for a desktop version of Google Voice.

What isn't overblown is the public anticipation of VoIP in Google Voice, which, among other things, would let international users in on what's essentially a service limited to U.S. residents. We wouldn't be surprised to see VoIP rolled in as yet another cloud-based Google Voice service.

Opera browser users will be pleased to know that the beta released two weeks ago, Opera 10.6, is coming your way in full force in a general release this Thursday. Version 10.6 incorporates an anti-malware detection system powered by AVG, more HTML5 capabilities, and improved performance overall.

In other upgrade news, Trillian (current version), the all-in-one instant messaging program, will soon be replacing what we think is a jarring, outmoded interface with a sleeker, more modern skin. The upcoming Trillian 5 is optimized for Windows 7 and will also include mobile-syncing features and an array of new social-networking options.

Not all upgrade news is good news; unfortunately, such is the case with the Adobe Reader alternative known as Foxit Reader. Aesthetically identical to the previous version, Foxit Reader 4 is hindered by a cumbersome setup process that also automatically bundles add-ons and menu icons. Though the new release includes watermark-free printing, text-only viewing options, and access to editing features without required toolbar installation, the frustrating installation may convert PDF users back to Adobe.

On a lighter note, shoppers may soon have a new way to pay for items. PayPal is letting software developers accept credit cards from buyers who do not necessarily have PayPal accounts, for payment made within desktop apps.

Thanks for reading this week's Download Dispatch. Happy downloading!