CES 2007: The Webt@lker 5000 Skype phone brings some class to your desk...

You may not be familiar with Belgian manufacturer Topcom, but their latest Skype phone, announced at CES, is certainly a worthy addition. Combining the ease of use of a standard desk phone with a large 2.4", 320x240 colour flip-up screen for accessing contacts and other Skype features is a great idea in my opinion, and hopefully the Webt@lker will deliver when it arrives in April 2007, with a recommended price of €169.00.

The phone is designed purely for making Skype calls, and simply plugs into the RJ45 port on your Ethernet or wifi router. New Skype users can sign up right from the handset (although they have to go online to buy SkypeOut credit for calling people who don't have Skype), and see their balance and Skype status right from the screen. In addition, users can search for other Skype contacts, and get their Skype voicemail right from the handset. It also features a speakerphone for hands-free use.

According to Topcom's website, they will also be releasing a "Wireless expansion kit" in Q2 2007, which it appears will allow you to make calls from the phone wirelessly, via a communication with a USB adapter on a PC.

Topcom are in booth 54042 at the Hilton or booth 72112 at the Sands at CES, so if you're over in Vegas, go check them out!

Technorati tags: Topcom, Webt@lker 5000, CES, Skype Netgear, Skype certified, VoIP, Internet telephony, Internet calling

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Comments

and soon coming the uncensored report on these devices to be seen on www.skype-gadgets.com, I might hope

I have recently bought a Topcom Webtalker 5000 (due primarily to its supposedly high quality speakerphone) from the Skype web site. I need to be able to use this in my office (upstairs). However, I have no PSTN/BT line in this room, and my PC is connected via a wireless broadband router in my kitchen (downstairs). My issue is therefore that it makes no sense to connect the phone to the wireless router, as I would never use it downstairs.

I am guessing my options are:

- to enable wireless capability on the phone (although I understand there is an expansion kit, which fits into the USB port on the device, no-one seems to sell it and there is no informtaion on the Topcom website)
- plug the device into my PC (although my PC does not seem to recognise the device using a standard male-to-male USB connection)

Can someone help, as I am pulling my hair out...?

Thanks