Several interesting bits of Skype Gear-related news from the blogosphere recently, on a variety of devices that show off many of the different ways you can use Skype.

• Video: great story about usage and a Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF review
• Mobile: Results to 3mobilebuzz’s recent contest: Why I need a 3 Skypephone
• WiFi phone: Netgear SPH200W one of Time’s top 10 gadgets of 2007
• Headsets: A look at the FREETALK Stereo Wireless Headset

My full take after the jump…

Video

I loved this story on GreatReporter.com, about how for many teens, having video chats is as second nature as having face-to-face chats. One girl was eating breakfast ‘with’ a friend in the kitchen when her mother had a look at the screen and saw a girl eating a pie waving at her.

“It was a total shock to me. You can have virtual friends now in your home,” Kolomasky said. “You walk into the room and suddenly there’s another person in there. It’s like a window.”

Another nice quote:

“We’re on a clear trajectory toward integrating video into everyday life,” said Mary Madden, a senior research specialist at the Internet and Family Life Project of the Pew Research Center. “The changes in the hardware have had a big impact on what people are willing to do.”

These ‘changes in the hardware’ are surely having webcams built into computers, as well as better, higher quality webcams like the three Logitech cameras that support High Quality Video on Skype. Speaking of which—Wisc-TV’s Gadget Guy Steve Van Dinter did a short review on one of these cameras, the Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF (available in the Skype store here), this week. He was quite pleased with it, particularly its ability to track your face while you use it.

Mobile

Our friends over at 3mobilebuzz recently concluded a neat competition for residents of the UK and Ireland. Entrants simply had to share why they wanted a 3 Skypephone, but it had to be in a ‘linkable’ format: a photo, video or other medium that could be shared online. They’ve chosen their winners (the top prize: three 3 Skypephones, naturally)—you can see the results here.

WiFi Phone

Time Magazine has named the Netgear SPH200W one of its top ten gadgets of 2007 (#3 to be exact). The SPH200W allows you to make and receive Skype and SkypeIn/SkypeOut calls via WiFi, at homes and offices as well as T-Mobile hotspots (if you have an account) in the US. It’s available in the Skype store here.

Headsets

Jim Courtney from Skype Journal has written up a review of the new FREETALK Stereo Wireless Headset, which uses the WiStereo wireless protocol for crystal clear conversations and music on the 2.4GHz frequency band. He was impressed:

To cut to the chase, this headset is easily set up and provides excellent quality audio. So far I have used it for Skype calls, SlingPlayer audio, YouTube videos and am currently testing out the audio quality with a BBC recording of Beethoven’s 9th which not only tests audio bandwidth but also dynamic range with its quiet phrases and choral fortes… the pianissimo phrases were soft, the chorale fortes did not distort; you could clearly hear every word of the chorus in the fourth movement.

Pretty cool. The headset has a USB base station and a flexible boom mic that automatically mutes when it’s placed in a vertical position. I’m getting one of these myself to test out soon—I’ll share my thoughts on it then.