GE DECT Skype phone "Well thought-out device": BusinessWeek

Now some Skypers might have been a little disappointed by the news last week that Philips VOIP841 cordless Skype phone won't be shipping in the US until 2007.

For those who just can't wait or those who just fancy something a bit different, the GE phone reviewed this week by BusinessWeek may be just the thing. The GE 28300EE2 (nice name chaps - catchy!) differs from the Philips phone in that it plugs into your PC rather than your router, meaning that you do have to have your PC on in order to make Skype calls (although you can happily make landline calls from it when the PC's off).

A very well-thought-out device

It does however have some nice features, such as a built-in speakerphone, and is confirmed as being hearing-aid compatible, something that not as many Skype manufacturers are building into their handsets as perhaps should. In addition, being DECT 6.0-compatible means it should benefit from improved call quality and not interfere with your Wifi or Bluetooth network as some DECT phones have been known to do.

BusinessWeek did identify some shortfallings in the phone as well, such as not being able to buy Skype credit from the phone (although surely as this phone needs the PC on to use it this isn't a big one?) and the fact you have to dial the international number whenever you place a SkypeOut call, something I noticed that RTX seem to have nailed on the DUALPhone 3088

Most importantly for me, it apparently comes preloaded with Snake, the game any early Nokia user will have used to while away boring train journeys.

The GE 28300EE2 is showing as available now from a couple of US retailers including Audio Discounter and Electronics Outfitter, priced at around $150. It can be expanded with up to 6 additional 28300EE1 handsets, if you live in a mansion.

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technorati tags: GE VoIP GE 28300EE2 Skype Internet telephony Cordless phone Internet calling DECT

Comments

I have the exact same unit. It works perfect for a cordless phone landline but I can't use it to use Skype! The phone says, "PC not detected" or something like that.. and everytime I connect the USB into the PC it doesn't detect it as well.

I am using Vista as OS and I am totally clueless on how to operate this thing. Please help me.!

I have this handset, and am really not happy with it. The handbook is pretty useless, and calling the technical helpline is a waste of time, after talking to various people, they all did the same thing, and that was put me on hold, look at the book, and then read from the book. I couldn't find anyone that actually knew anything about the phone and how it operates.

I have a GE 5.8ghz digital previously used with sunrocket is this compatable with skype I would like to use their service but do not want to spend on new phones

I have the same phone and I get the same error .."Not connected to pc" what the heck I want to get my money back all these things are worthless whats the point in having a landline as well as skype the thing is we want to save money not spend more !!!!!! Grrr do something....

Hi
I have GE cordless Skype phone 28310EE. Skype was working for 4 days . Now this phone works great as ORDINARY CORDLESS phone . Skype doesnt work anymore. Message i always get is " Not connected to internet" . My internet works at its best. I called GE customer care centre. Reply was, since this phone works as CORDLESS without any problem and SKYPE doesnt work, I should contact skype.
Dont know how to contact or whom to contact in SKYPPE?
any suggestions appreciated
veera

Are you using Vista OS? If so, did you verify with GE that the phone was compatible with Vista? I am running Vista and have not yet found a phone that will work with Vista on Skype. I use a Logitec webcam. And sometimes I get a message from Skype that I have no microphone connected, and to connect a headset. I can reboot the PC and get Skype to work then. I think Skype wants everyone to use only what they sell. I used to use a dual vtech phone with XP and it was great. I keep looking for a Vista capabile phone. If you would like to contact me, rdjay@bellsouth.net

I have this phone (as of Dec 08) and have been very pleased with it up till now, I no longer can listen to voicemails but I am not sure it is the phones fault or just skype. I did have to go to advanced settings and add it by clicking on "manage other programs access to skype" then save. very please with the sound quailty over the tlinkagent I had.

My Skype Phone worked fine. for almost a year .
Than it would not work. my Phone said "PC not Available.
I tried all kind of thinks nothing helped. Than I put in new batteries and let them charge now it works again.

I have he same telephone as everyone else and received the same message "Not connected to pc". I determined that the phone was not recognized by Skype. You will have to open skype, leave it open, uninstall the telephone software and then reinstall. After the reinstall of the telephone software you will receive a display on Skype that will ask you to recognize the phone.

It Worked for me.

Lou Goldberg-Tuesday April 27, 2009

i want to get a skype phone?how many money to monthly rent?only skype to skype free?or i can get calls to land and hand phones?skype phone like normal land phones?if its no what is the different?

I just bought this phone for myself and my parents and like the others, it drove me crazy for hours last night, trying to connect the handset Skype with my computer, no luck. I gave up after a few hours. And this morning,after reading Lou Goldberg's first post, I rebooted my computer, then Skylink asked me if Skype could connect, and my problem was solved.;)Thank you, Lou!!!

We have the GE 28300 and it has worked well until 2 days ago.
We first saw an error message out of range so we moved close to the base with both phones. The next error was not registered so I went through that again and they will not register. I get "register full"when trying to register. I uninstalled the program and reinstalled and still get the same thing.
The manual is not helpful. Any suggestions?

I bought this phone in Greece, i am TRYING to use it in my home in Mexico. I have plugged it in to both the phone line, the computer, and the AC outlet, it keeps blinking "out of range"... making this un-godly noise... I have read through the manual many times and nothing,,, It seems it was 74 Euros waste of money... I cant get it to work, I cant get any help fixing it, I cant get nothing done to it...
I wouldn't buy a GE product again.

Ok, if you are having issues, know that
1. I don't thinkit works with Vista
2. Don't have a USB web cam attached to the same computer that the Skype phone is, it just confuses Skype, and can lead to you not being able to hear conversation, or people on te other end not being able to hear you.
3. If you have issues with this phone, remove both Skype and the phone software.
Reboot computer. Reinstall Skype, then the phone software. Skype will ask you to give permissions to the phone device. Do so. Voila, should work fine.
4. If you are getting out of range, there is no sync. Try reassigning the handset
5. Turn off your Firewall(s) just to be safe.
I had some problems initially, but you just have to work through them.