Desktop internet phones

Remember that Belkin Desktop Internet Phone for Skype that was announced at CES in January? It’s about to go on sale and I’ve had the chance to use it around my office for the past week. I think it’s one of the most handsome Skype phones yet, and it’s (almost) perfect in an office setting. Read on for my review.

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We talked about the IPEVO Solo, another great desktop internet phone for Skype, last June when it came out. At CES this year, IPEVO announced a new wireless adapter for the Solo, so if your router or ethernet port isn’t near your desk, you can now use your wireless network to make Skype calls on the phone. The company was also running a neat promotion—visitors who stopped by the IPEVO booth could use a Solo to call anyone in the world they wanted—Skype users as well as people with landlines and mobile phones (via SkypeOut). Very cool. You can learn more about the Solo on IPEVO’s website here—the new wireless adapter for the phone will be available soon.

UPDATE: Nafcom from Nafcom’s Crap Blog! has helpfully figured out that this IPEVO wireless adapter is actually already available in Taiwan and the USA, and won’t be available elsewhere. It’s also worth noting that while the phone is Skype Certified, the wireless adapter isn’t.

Another neat product announced at CES (and becoming available this March in the US, Canada, Europe and Asia) is the Belkin Desktop Internet Phone for Skype—it plugs directly into your router or a live ethernet port so you can make and receive Skype (and SkypeOut/SkypeIn) calls without needing the computer on. It has all the features you’d want in a phone on your desk (like speakerphone, hold, mute, and redial) as well as an LCD screen to view your contact list (making it really easy to reach friends, family and colleagues) and access device settings. See the press release here—more on this one (hopefully with a Roadtest) when it’s out in March.

While these days I usually find myself talking on a cordless or mobile phone (whether I’m Skyping or not), sometimes it’s really nice—even reassuring—to use a corded phone. You always know where it is and the sound quality is likely to be very good because it’s never “out of range.” That’s why I like the Topcom Webt@lker 5000—it’s a corded desktop phone that works with Skype and doesn’t need a computer—you just plug it into your router and then instantly you’ve got a dedicated, reliable Skype line. I had the chance to try one out for a few days and found it to be well thought-out and easy to use. Read on for my full review.

Continue reading "Skypegear Roadtest: Topcom Webt@lker 5000" »

The Ipevo Solo desktop Skype phone first surfaced at CES back in January this year, so it’s great to hear last week’s announcement that the phone is now available in Taiwan. Taiwan is a massive market for Skype already, and phones like this not only outline Skype’s commitment to the area, but also give a pretty good indication of Skype’s intentions towards business users (although this would make a funky home phone too!).

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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.

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

Taiwanese manufacturer Ipevo just don’t muck about: rather than sticking with the one Skype announcement at CES this year, they’ve gone for three.

Continue reading "CES 2007: IPEVO pull 3 new Skype phones out of the bag" »