Internet and VOIP phones

Once you connect to a network, the Belkin Wi-Fi Phone for Skype (a wireless VoIP phone) works well and makes fairly clear calls, but I’d be a lot more excited about it if the price dropped to, say, $50 or $75. Although it costs less than the competing Netgear phone, it still sets you back too much for what it does, particularly considering the fit-and-finish quality—the fairly clear, though not overly bright display in my test phone sat off-center in its faceplate.

In one respect, both this product and the Netgear Skype WiFi Phone SPH101 can claim superiority over Skype-enabled cordless phones, which cost less. The pricier phones need no PC; they connect directly to the popular voice service through your router or access point. But neither Wi-Fi phone incorporates a Web browser, so you can’t connect to a hot spot if it requires authentication—my primary complaint. That cuts down on the number of public Wi-Fi networks you’ll be able to use, since many allow you access only after you assent to terms of use shown on a Web page.

Source and more info: go

NETGEAR announced increased shipments of the NETGEAR WiFi Phone for Skype™ (SPH101) to Singapore to meet popular demand. NETGEAR’s SPH101 is the first publicly announced device certified to make Skype WiFi Internet calling a reality for the more than 113 million registered Skype users.

Vincent Low, NETGEAR’s Regional Director for Southeast Asia, said: “For many avid Skype users nationwide, our phone has become the ideal solution, and continues to grow in popularity through word of mouth. ‘Skypers’ are now able to take advantage of NETGEAR’s innovative wireless networking technology, and experience Skype in a truly mobile fashion, without a PC.”

NETGEAR’s WiFi Phone for Skype (SPH101) is the first publicly announced device to enable consumers to make unlimited free domestic and international calls to other Skype users over a wireless network without being tied to a computer. The WiFi phone will work anywhere in the world a user has a secured or open access to a WiFi network—in any home, office, or public hotspot that does not require browser-based authentication.

Pre-loaded with Skype software and ready out-of-the-box to use with a wireless network, the user experience remains similar as currently enjoyed by millions of Skype users, who talk for free with their friends using Skype, or pay only a few cents per minute to connect with mobile or landline phones. The phone’s intuitive on-screen menu — in clear, vibrant colours — shows saved Skype contacts and their online availability for easy communications, similar to the PC experience. Customers also enjoy an excellent sound quality without sacrificing talk time or stand-by time. Later this year, NETGEAR’s phone will also support multiple languages.

Source and more info: smbedge

I wanted to fall in love with the Netgear Skype WiFi Phone SPH101. It has an attractive, iPodesque design, it’s been almost done for at least six months (that’s when many of us in the tech press first saw prototypes), and I’ve been teased by its presence at tech event after tech event ever since. Even after I received it, the phone continued to tease me from its clear inventory bag on my workbench—and as its backlit keys glowed during its inaugural PC Magazine Labs charging.

That pleasant sense of anticipation faded fast. The first letdown was the phone’s inability to connect to two free and open public Wi-Fi networks in New York City because of its lack of a Web browser (the Belkin Wi-Fi Phone for Skype, which I’m reviewing now, has the same problem). A browser is necessary since many community networks require you to opt in to an online user agreement. This generally requires no more than clicking a simple check box once you’ve opened the browser. After that, you can start browsing. (Most of these community networks are nonprofit affairs meant for the public good, and they’d prefer to keep commercial traffic and services off.) Yes, Skype-to-Skype calls are free (as are SkypeOut calls for the rest of the year in North America), but Skype S.A. itself is a commercial operation.

Source and more info: go

Belkin is shipping a WiFi phone based on Linux and Skype’s proprietary VoIP (voice-over-IP) client. The Belkin WiFi Phone for Skype can use open or encrypted WiFi networks, and connects seamlessly at commercial hotspots and hot zones operated by Boingo, Belkin says.

The Belkin WiFi phone is available initially in English, Chinese, and Korean, with other languages to be added later. It comes with a Skype client preinstalled, and is designed for use with Boingo’s $8-per-month “Boingo Mobile” service, which offers unlimited access.

In addition to commercial Boingo hotspots, the Belkin phone also works with open 802.11b/g networks, and supports WPA and WPA2 with PSK security.

Source and more info: linuxdevices

Wi-Fi TVâ„¢ Inc., in conjunction with AdCalls®, today announced that in response to Tuesday’s news that Skype will end its free phone call promotion at year end, Wi-Fi TV will expand and enhance its 100% free online phone service. Wi-Fi TV is targeting millions of Skype users to sign-up for Wi-Fi TV and end needless phone call charges.

Whereas Skype announced plans for a $30 annual fee, and other VoIP service providers typically charge much more, Wi-Fi TV is making its new generation Wi-Fi TV Virtual Dialer™, powered by AdCalls®, completely free to both download and make phone calls with.

Wi-Fi TV has introduced a bold revenue model for 2007 based on targeted video advertising, targeted interactive coupon ads, premium content sales and Wi-Fi TV channel sales. The model allows Wi-Fi TV to make memberships free to anyone with a valid email address at www.Wi-FiTV.com and to allow free downloading and use of the Wi-Fi TV Virtual Dialerâ„¢ (it can be downloaded from any Country or Category page at www.Wi-FiTV.com).

In the U.S. and Canada, users can make free local and long distance calls to office and home phones, cellular phones, and to other PCs. In addition they can call from anywhere in the world and to anywhere in the world to other Wi-Fi TV members. They simply enter the email address of the Wi-Fi TV member as the phone number, and the Wi-Fi TV Virtual Dialerâ„¢ of the member will ring.

Source and more info: marketwire

Only a day after announcing that it will end its free phone call promotion at year end, Skype now finds itself facing stiff competition from some new players. Take, for example, Wi-Fi TV Inc. In conjunction with AdCalls, Wi-Fi TV has announced that in response to Skype’s decision, Wi-Fi TV will expand and enhance its 100% free online phone service. Wi-Fi TV is targeting millions of Skype users to sign-up for Wi-Fi TV and end needless phone call charges.

Whereas Skype announced plans for a $30 annual fee, and other VoIP service providers typically charge much more, Wi-Fi TV is making its new generation Wi-Fi TV Virtual Dialer, powered by AdCalls, completely free to both download and make phone calls with.

Wi-Fi TV has introduced a bold revenue model for 2007 based on targeted video advertising, targeted interactive coupon ads, premium content sales and Wi-Fi TV channel sales. The model allows Wi-Fi TV to make memberships free to anyone with a valid e-mail address and to allow free downloading and use of the Wi-Fi TV Virtual Dialer.

Source and more info: tmcnet

TalkFree adds “Inbound Telephone Numbers”, a Program Providing ‘Virtual’ Telephone Numbers to Small Businesses World Wide, and “Call Shop Management,” a System Giving Vendors Local Rate and Profit Margin Control. San Francisco, CA, December 13, 2006 – International VoIP reseller TalkFree, has added two new tools to its centerpiece product, the “VoIP Phone Business in a Box.” The first tool, the “Inbound Telephone Numbers” program, arms TalkFree business customers and service resellers with a new service using Direct Inward Dial numbers (DID) from nearly 40 countries. When a customer’s clients or employees call the DID number “Inbound Telephone Numbers” forwards the call via the internet using VoIP technology and bypasses international long distance phone rates. This gives the customer worldwide telecommunication for a fraction of the common cost.

Source and more info: dbusinessnews

This is the Luna VoIP phone from Futiro. The Luna really raises the bar in VoIP phone handset design when compared to some of the other VoIP phone offerings. The stylish design of the Luna allows it to become more of a centerpiece than just another industrial-looking piece of technology sitting on your desk.

The Luna offers complete integration with Skype and features that include a full telephony keypad, echo-reduction technology, volume adjustment, and unique ring-tones. The Luna comes with a base which allows it to sit securely while you talk hands-free and use your keyboard or walk about the room during your conference calls.

Source and more info: slipperybrick

Genius, the IT and Consumer Electronics brand of KYE Systems, has introduced the Genius Navigator 380, its latest VoIP mouse. The mouse, which doubles up as a VoIP phone, is slick modish looking gadget to be launched in India.

The Genius VoIP Mouse software boasts of support up to six Instant Messengers (Skype, MSN, Yahoo, GoogleTalk, QQ and AIM) and combine these IMs into one window. The mouse features seven dedicated buttons for the phone functions such as phone on/off, list up/down, volume up/down and OK to call up the IM window and a decent 1200 dpi optical engine.
It can be carried along anywhere with you laptop, and the LED on the Navigator 380 blinks when you receive a call through an Instant Messenger. If the PC speaker is on, the ringing will also alert you of an incoming phone call. To answer a call, just pick up the mouse and open it up like a clamshell mobile phone.

Source and more info: sda-asia

Well, it appears that the Palm Treo isn’t in any immediate danger from Apple’s upcoming iPhone. In fact, Apple’s phone device won’t even be called the iPhone because the “iPhone” is a voip phone made by Linksys. Cisco, their parent company, has owned that trademark since 1996.

Pictured here is one of the Linksys voip phones; the Wireless-G WIP320 Phone, which is Skype compatible.

There are questions about when Apple will be releasing its phone device. Some sites say that Apple is to reveal the phone today. Cult of Mac says that Apple hates introducing products on Mondays. They also say that MacWorld is coming up in less than a month, and Apple has to hold back something to announce other than the iTV.

If you recall, Ed Colligan had answered some questions last month at a breakfast Q&A about competition from Apple and others entering the mobile phone market. Dieter pointed me to a great article by Mike Mace over at Mike’s blog Mobile Opportunity. Mike had a lot of interesting things to say about the Q&A.

Source and more info: treocentral