Although none are available yet
With a surge in subscribers and user popularity, a number of Wi-Fi phones designed for Skype have been released. Belkin introduced its Wi-Fi Phone for Skype earlier but the phone is still on pre-order.
According to Belkin, the phone is compatible with 802.11b/g protocols and supports WEP, WPA-PSK, WPA and WPA2 security features. Based on a similar look to some of Sony Ericsson's candy bar phones, the Belkin Wi-Fi Phone is the latest Skype phone announced. From Belkin's release:
The Belkin Wi-Fi Phone for Skype works anywhere in the world through your secured or open access to a Wi-Fi network—without a computer. Any home, office, cafe, or municipal wireless access point that does not require browser-based authentication will do. Pre-loaded with Skype software, the Belkin Wi-Fi Phone features the Skype interface, so it’s ready for use with any wireless network.
Netgear also has a Skype phone which is also available for preorder. The SPH101 from Netgear only supports 802.11g, so users searching around in more popular 802.11b hot spots for a connection will be out of luck. The phone supports WEP and WPA-PSK security features and sports a similar look to Belkin's phone.
Both phones from Belkin and Netgear do not support emergency 911 calling. Users will still require a traditional land-line or cell phone for this. On the positive side, customers interested in Wi-Fi Skype phones should be aware that the company has made SkypeOut, its Skype to regular phone calling feature absolutely free until the end of the year. Skype has not announced a decision on whether or not it will keep this feature free beyond 2006. Free SkypeOut works for anyone within US and Canada.
"It looks like the iPhone 4 might be their Vista, and I'm okay with that." -- Microsoft COO Kevin Turner
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