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Gadgets Linksys VOIP WiFi Phone Preorder
Kristopher Kubicki (Blog) - February 10, 2006 11:55 AM
Print E-mail del.icio.us 8 comment(s) - last by y2chuck.. on Feb 15 at 12:41 PM
VOIP on the go

The Linksys WIP300-NA has received very little attention even though it is easily one of the neater products the company has produced in a while.  The phone uses an integrated 802.11b/g antenna to provide users with SIP V2.0, SMS and rudimentry email over hotspots that the phone picks up. Unfortunately, the device does not feature any GSM or 3G capabilities - so you are constricted to only WiFi hotspots if you want to make or receive a call.  Furthermore, the device does not appear to feature seamless WiFi handoff, so once you're on the call you need to stand near the same WiFi hotspot or risk terminating the connection.

You can preorder the device for $250 at VOIP Supply.  The device is a much cheaper alternative than a Windows Mobile PDA with WiFi, but the $250 price tag doesn't really scream value either. 

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ehh...
By Connoisseur on 2/10/2006 12:10:58 PM , Rating: 2
I can imagine this MAYBE being useful in major cities (NY, San Fran, LA etc.).. even in these places, most wifi networks are protected. Forget about rural areas. I can only really see this being used at home. Not really much of a mobile product.




RE: ehh...
By creathir on 2/10/2006 12:17:20 PM , Rating: 2
This device is NOT just for "VoIP cell phone" usage...
Its MAIN purpose is to offer a portable phone for people/users of SIP VoIP services (or more importantly, the SIP based free PBX, Asterisk) So, it would be used at home/business... and I suppose you could goto hotspots, but really, why not just spend $50 and $30/mo and pick up a cell phone?
- Creathir


RE: ehh...
By Xenoterranos on 2/10/2006 12:26:42 PM , Rating: 2
I couldn't agree more. If this had 3G support or even just support from any carrier, it would seam slightly more usefull. BUT, this would make a nice alternative to buying a voip service for home use and is way nicer than some of the other voip-ready home-phones i've seen. Overall usefull, just not worth 250$.


RE: ehh...
By creathir on 2/10/2006 12:47:59 PM , Rating: 2
Well, it would be really hard to justify the $250...
But if it offers FULL Asterisk support, that is a CHEAP portable PBX phone...
- Creathir


RE: ehh...
By briankircho on 2/11/2006 2:27:41 AM , Rating: 2
As the price on these wifi phones drop in the next few years I think it definatly could become popular. When these get to like $50 and they will I could see lots of people getting it to use at hotspots to save lots of money over cellphones.


RE: ehh...
By y2chuck on 2/15/2006 12:41:48 PM , Rating: 2
I totally agree. Used to work for Nortel MANY years ago and they had a "companion" internal wifi based phone system so you could roam the plant with your desk phone.

Very simple and useful for large companies or even college/universities.


At school
By Aganack1 on 2/10/2006 2:02:20 PM , Rating: 2
I spend all my time pretty much on campus and there is wifi just about everywhere i go, so for that it wouldn't be so bad... My parents house can't recieve cell phone calls because of all the trees around them. It might work for them... It's an ok idea but i agree with most of you that there really isn't much use...




By swishbish33 on 2/10/2006 8:16:36 PM , Rating: 2
You can get a PDA with WiFi for around $250. Dell Axims are usually around that price, and you can do more with it to boot.




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