Several companies are interested in releasing Skype phones that don't require a PC
Philips
Electronics is set to release a cordless Voice over IP phone that is
able to connect directly to a wireless broadband connection without a
PC. The VOIP841 will be the first phone based on Digital Enhanced
Cordless Telecommunications technology, which interfaces with the
broadband connection for Skype calls but uses the traditional phone
line for all other calls. Other companies are reportedly also
interested in partnering with Skype to release WiFi phones that are
preloaded with the Skype client.
It
is believed that these new phones will help Skype further expand its
user base. Skype currently has almost 115 million users worldwide. Stefan
Oberg, Skype general manager said: “We are broadening our reach to
mass consumers by offering them the opportunity to communicate via
Skype without having to be tied to the computer.”
Earlier this year Netgear announced its VIVOphone, a USB device thats allows a phone to be directly connected into a PC without the need of additional software or dongles. Prior to that, Netgear and Belkin had also announced wireless Skype phones that use 802.11g networks to connect the Skype software to the internet.
The
Philips handset will be available sometime in December, but a price
has not been announced publicly – an MSRP of ~$150 seems
reasonable, according to several reports. The release of the Netgear
product is scheduled for late 2006 or early 2007.
"It's okay. The scenarios aren't that clear. But it's good looking. [Steve Jobs] does good design, and [the iPad] is absolutely a good example of that." -- Bill Gates on the Apple iPad
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