I wouldn't get your hopes up for a spring release. I think Gaga is just eager. She is always writing new songs and is probably making new decisions about ARTPOP around the clock.
I think that if the first single do well in its first two weeks, Gaga is gonna announce the album release date soon after that. But if it is not doing well then she might wait for the second single.
I hope we will ge info soon
Since yesterday. It's happening tomorrow. But only a few fans will be able to actually video chat with her on Skype, the rest are watching from Ustream as far as I know.