The other free (inside North America) calling option is the GrandCentral service and the GrandCentral Dialer (which I think is available in Extras now). Us Canadians can't get a local number, so you're not likely to get your local friends calling you using your GrandCentral number, but you can make free calls anywhere in North America and have it ring your Gizmo number so you can use your tablet for free phone calls. If you are in the States, you can get a local number and use it for incoming calls, too. Canadians can receive free phone calls using the GrandCentral "call me" web button.

PS: I don't do the "side talking" thing with my N800; I just use ear buds and hold the mic up to my mouth with both hands...