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Internet More PC-less Skype Phones En Route
Michael Hoffman (Blog) - September 2, 2006 1:32 AM
Print E-mail del.icio.us 9 comment(s) - last by Jill Carron.. on Sep 21 at 11:41 AM
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.

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errors?
By Serlant on 9/2/2006 4:57:12 AM , Rating: 2
not sure if thats the right font :S and theres this mistake,
quote:
Skype currently has almost 115 users worldwide




RE: errors?
By SilthDraeth on 9/2/2006 8:53:22 AM , Rating: 2
Yes please change the 115 users worldwide to 115 million.


Skype hype
By apfox on 9/4/2006 8:12:25 PM , Rating: 2
Big deal. All of the big names in VOIP have routers/phone adapters. And they all connect to plain, old telephones. Vonage has a USB plug-and-talk connector for its system, with earpiece/microphone.

Skype fans seem a bit too wrapped up in the company, almost like Mac users (no offense to Mac users). It's just another company, making money. There are several companies who have been doing this for as long or longer, with the same or better quality. I'll stick with Vonage.




RE: Skype hype
By AstroCreep on 9/5/2006 10:33:10 AM , Rating: 2
Um, isn't the basic Skype service free though? :/


bad bad tagline
By interl0per on 9/2/2006 8:17:35 AM , Rating: 2
Come ON, that is so bad it could lose credibility fot the entire site.

ie: Skype migrates beyond PC.




Hurrah!
By kelmon on 9/2/2006 2:40:49 PM , Rating: 2
While I wait for prices and news of the quality of these products, these phones could well be what we (my wife and I) have been waiting for. I really like the call quality and cheap prices of Skype calls to keep in touch with our family back in the UK but having to have a computer running and headset to make/receive calls kinda sucks. The WiFi phones would be attractive if they weren't so damned expensive. If the price of these phone is right then we'll buy one.




down with skype
By Visual on 9/3/2006 11:22:08 PM , Rating: 2
would any of these phones support sip or h.323? now that would rock




By Jill Carron on 9/21/2006 11:41:33 AM , Rating: 2
All factors considered, which Skype phone would you purchase? A Skype phone which you can use at home while you need to have your computer running? Or a Skype phone that lets you access Skype anywhere you may be even if there is no computer running nearby?

I have read an article that's similar to this. you can check it here:
http://www.cordless-phones.uk.com/news/




title
By Visual on 9/2/06, Rating: 0
"You can bet that Sony built a long-term business plan about being successful in Japan and that business plan is crumbling." -- Peter Moore, 24 hours before his Microsoft resignation

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