Belkin's dark horse rides into wifi-ville...

The Belkin Wifi Skype phone: so good that it's worth three photos; and the really good news is that Belkin today announced that it is shipping in the UK and should be available from October 30th.

For those not up on the Belkin, this phone is designed to allow you to make Skype calls wirelessly on a wifi network without any kind of PC, laptop, Mac or other similar cumbersome beast. You just pick up the handset and dial (or just click!).

Gizmodo managed to get their hands on a pre-release model back in August, and the general feeling was that this really was a phone to keep an eye out for.

The expectation is that one hundred British Pounds will allow you to purchase one of these beauties, and the expected drop date is next Monday, October 30th, so keep your eyes peeled, fellow Skypers.

The Belkin wifi phone is already available for pre-order from the US Skype Store for $189.99, and should be available shortly via the UK store, and in Europe. Watch this space for a full review very soon...

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Comments

If i will use the skype on my home computer and same time i use the wifi phone with the same username in the phone then can i get all the chats in computer and still make calls over wifi phone?

Yes no problem - you can make Skype calls on this phone and at the same time use Skype on your PC to chat, or send files or SMS messages etc.

hey
i've just purchased the new belkin wifi skype fone.its great for skype.am just wondering about some other possibilites.would it be possible to build a web browser for it.it has a wireless card and a screen and a mobilephone keypad.surely its possible to browse the web on it.also hotspots that require broswer based authentication could be used.any information or suggestions would be great

paul

I purchased one of these phones and have moved around the US for the last week and found that it is totally useless.

The reception of the wireless has a very short range and even within range, has difficulty connecting and maintaining connection to WiFi networks.
When I do finally find an unsecured network, many times the internet is inactive or lost with even a simple body motion of turning 180 degrees.

When I find a "public free wifi" network, such as at your local library or other public location, they require a simple "terms of use" agreement that needs to be completed. Given that there is no internet browser installed on the phone, this simple command cannot be complete thus resulting in no service.

I have even tried locations such as McDonald's, Starbucks, Barns & Noble, etc. where the use of the internet can be paid for and once again, with no web browser there is no way to give payment thus yet again making the phone useless.

I have concluded that the only locations that this phone is useable is within my home or when I am at work. BOTH of these locations I have easy access to a computer AND the Skype program IMPLYING "Why would I need this phone?"

I would discourage anyone interested in purchasing this phone from doing so. Save your money and use Skype how you would regularly because this product gives you nothing extra.

HELLO
GREAT DEAL
CAN I USE BELKIN SKYPE FONE IN THE SAUDI ARABIA?

CAN I USE MY GSM CARD IN THE BELKIN SKYPE FONE ALSO?
PLEASE REPLY
THANKS