Gear News Roundup

Some recent Gear-related news on this fine Tuesday:

A double take on the Belkin Skype WiFi Phone

I just caught this video review of the Belkin WiFi Phone for Skype by Chris Hogg (and Chris Hogg) on Digital Journal TV. We've reviewed it before here. "They" run through what the phone does and say that it kicks derriere. I'm not sure of the camera and computer tricks DJTV used to make the video, but it's pretty neat. Watch it here:

PSP'd

If you've got a Sony PSP Slim & Lite and haven't tried Skype on it yet, have a look at these step-by-step instructions on Instructables. The author also goes into how to rip and convert DVDs for viewing on the PSP.

Webware 100 Winner!

For the second year in a row, Skype is a winner in CNET's Webware 100 Awards in the Communication category. Users (like you! Thanks if you voted!)chose the winners of these awards; no doubt this year more people are using Skype in more ways beyond the computer (like on a Nokia Internet Tablet, 3 Skypephone, a Skype WiFi phone, a Sony Mylo--the list goes on...). Check out the Skype's winning page here, and all the 2008 Webware 100 winners here.

Comments

Posting this on Monday, October 20, 2008.
I have recently completed a "test" of the NetGear SPH200W Skype phone.
Disappointing is the best thing that I can say about it. Poor connectivity. Atrocious voice/connection quality. I could rarely connect to sites that the NetGear Skype phone indicated as unsecured/open.
I purchased this device at a major electronics retailer. I plan to return it for a store credit.
I cannot imagine how I, as a dedicated Skype user, could overcome the defects so glaringly apparent on this Skype phone.
I traveled from California, through Oregon, to Washington, and back.
I was logged on to my Skype account during the trip.
I had no trouble using Skype on either of my laptops during the trip. In fact, I can make Skype calls from the NetGear SPH200W from my current home location through my wireless aircard router connection. Here I utilize a Pantech PX 500 aircard through an Airlink101 AR360W3G router. My ISP is Millenicom from Portland, Oregon.
Does anyone have any comments on my particular problem with this device? I have yet to make my feelings known to NetGear.
Please email me at JohnDahmen@rocketmail.com, or, if possible, via Skype.
Thank you.