About this product: ooma is an award-winning product that gives you free home phone service. Quite simply, no more nickel and dime fees and no more monthly phone bills. Acclaimed by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Business Week, and featured as one of the year's hottest products in Parade and In Style magazines, ooma offers premium home phone service as it was meant to be.
About this product: Subject to customer authorization by Linksys.
The Linksys PAP2T Internet Phone Adapter enables high-quality feature-rich VoIP (voice over IP) service through your broadband Internet connection. Just plug it into your home Router or Gateway and use the two standard telephone ports to connect analogue phones or use one of the ports for a fax machine.
About this product: The SPA3102 delivers clear, high-quality voice communication in diverse network conditions. Excellent voice quality in a demanding IP network is consistently achieved via the advanced implementation of standard voice coding algorithms. The SPA3102 is interoperable with common telephony equipment like voicemail, Fax, PBX, and interactive voice response systems. The SPA3102 offers all the key features and capabilities which service providers can provide customized VoIP services to their subscribers. The SPA3102 can be remotely provisioned and supports dynamic, in service software upgrades. A secure profile upload saves providers the time, expense, and hassle of managing and pre-configuring or reconfiguring customer premise equipment (CPE) for deployment. Linksys understands that security for end users and service providers is a fundamental requirement for a solid, carrier-grade telephony service. The SPA3102 supports secure, standard encryption-based methods for communication, provisioning and servicing.
About this product: If you're a Skype subscriber, you're probably very happy with the cheap calls you can make to overseas land lines and mobile phones, and you're probably ecstatic over the free calls you can make 24/7 to your fellow Skype subscribers around the world. But you're probably not overjoyed having to be tethered to your computer in order to make those calls.
Thankfully, Belkin has come to your rescue. With the Belkin Wi-Fi Phone for Skype, not only are you free to roam away from your computer as you talk turkey with Istanbul, you don't even need a computer to make calls. As long as you have access to a Wi-Fi network -- any hot spot will do -- you can use your Belkin Wi-Fi phone to connect to your Skype account and talk to your heart's content.
We recently put a beta model of the Belkin Wi-Fi phone to the test, and we walked away impressed with its potential. While there are a few wrinkles still to iron out, the Belkin Wi-Fi has a promising future with Skype subscribers.
How Skype Works For the uninitiated, Skype is a free service that allows you to use your computer's broadband connection to make phone calls to anywhere in the world. You simply create a free account on the Skype web site, download software to your computer, and once you have a microphone and headset, you can call land lines, mobile numbers or other Skype users through your computer. The Belkin Wi-Fi for Skype takes the computer, headphones and headset out the equation, but this is generally how the service works.
With Skype, your calls to overseas non-Skype users are substantially cheaper than most cell phone or land-line services, and your calls to your fellow Skype users, regardless of where they are in the world, are absolutely free. So if you're in a business that requires extensive overseas communication, or you're trekking the globe, Skype is a service you'll want to consider.
The Belkin Wi-Fi Phone Design At about the same dimensions and weight of an average open-faced cell phone, such as the Sony Ericsson T637, the Belkin easily passes the transportability test. The phone features a durable black shell and a bright screen that offers a soft blue and white background with crisp black text. While adequate in low-light or office conditions, the screen doesn't fare well in bright sunshine, but it's still readable. Because the phone is only intended to be used for calls, it does not include any advanced media options. This interface is designed simply to get you connected to your Skype account. An easy-to-use center control toggle makes it a snap to navigate through the phone menu, and the number pad is similar in size to cell phone. The charging port and headphone connection are provided on the bottom of the phone, while the volume control is set to the side. Overall, it's a straightforward design, without any bells or whistles, that gets the job done.
How the Belkin Wi-Fi Phone Works Although you initially need a computer to sign up for a Skype account, the Belkin only needs an open 802.11 b/g-compatible wireless access point to get you connected.
Without exception, the quality of our overseas Skype-to-Skype calls was as clear as any land line we'd ever used. There were no lags in the conversation, and nothing resembling static.
Once you power up, you can easily configure your Belkin Wi-Fi phone to auto-connect so that within seconds you'll be ready to talk. But if you're on the road, you'll want the option of connecting manually to the strongest available network. Using the center toggle, it's easy enough to navigate to the network settings where you'll see the full list of available networks and their relative signal strengths. You simply choose the one you want to connect to. If the Wi-Fi network offers open access, the Belkin will connect to it automatically; if it requires a password, you'll be prompted to submit it via the phone's keypad.
Once you're connected, the phone will sign you into your Skype account, and you'll be ready to talk. Your "contacts" folder will give you direct access to all of your Skype contacts. Simply navigate to the person you want to call, and if they're signed in, you can be talking to them within seconds. If you want to call a land line, you use the key pad to dial the number the old fashioned way. And while you lose some of the Skype features with the Belkin that you otherwise have with your computer, such as the ability to initiate conference calls, you gain the freedom of being able to roam within the range of any accessible wireless network as you talk.
Connection Quality and Convenience We tested the Belkin Wi-Fi for Skype by calling land lines and cell phones in the continental United States, and by calling overseas to other Skype subscribers. While the quality of the connections within the U.S. to non-Skype users varied, the voice clarity was generally adequate on our end, though in each case the recipient of our calls did not immediately recognize our voice. Also, in each case there was a perceivable lag in the conversation that was intrusive at times.
However, we would normally not use Skype to make non-Skype calls within the U.S. With more than 80 percent of its subscribers outside of the U.S., Skype is ideal for international calls, and it's truly optimized for Skype-to-Skype calling. In our third set of tests, we called fellow Skype subscribers in Europe. Without exception, the quality of our overseas Skype-to-Skype calls was as clear as any land line we'd ever used. There were no lags in the conversation, and nothing resembling static.
None of this is to say that the beta phone we tested was without flaws. In our first round of testing, the phone powered up and connected to our office network seamlessly. However, in subsequent calls using the same network, we had some connection difficulties. Although the Belkin phone could "see" the network, and the password was configured correctly, it simply wouldn't connect. But once we took the phone to a public hot spot, it once again performed flawlessly.
One design problem we encountered involved the phone's power-saving mode. After 30 seconds of inactivity, the screen goes completely dark and the phone appears to be shut down. Changing the screen's "time out" settings had no effect on this. This would not be an issue if the phone had a feature such as a continuous time display or screen saver that indicated that the phone was still powered up. As it stands, however, it's too easy to assume the phone is shut down when the screen is black, and it's therefore easy to inadvertently drain the battery.
But that's a glitch that should easily be rectified, and it did little to take away from our overall conclusion that the Belkin Wi-Fi for Skype is a phone that has the potential of turning your free Skype subscription into an invaluable asset.
Pros
Durable, compact design
Exceptional clarity with Skype-to-Skype calls
Eliminates the need for a computer while making Skype calls
About this product: Four lines of Internet telephony are at your fingertips. The SPA941 can be connected directly to an Internet telephone service provider or to an IP PBX via its single Ethernet port. Each line can be independently assigned its own phone number or extension. A high-resolution graphical display makes for easy menu- and web-based configuration.nts of traditional business users while leveraging the advantages of IP telephony. Features such as easy station moves, presence, and shared line appearances (across local and geographically dispersed locations) are just some of the many advantages of the SPA921.The SPA921 uses standard encryption protocols to provide secure remote provisioning and unobtrusive in-service software upgrades. Linksys secure remote provisioning tools include detailed performance measurement and troubleshooting features, enabling network providers to deliver high quality support to their subscribers. Remote provisioning also saves service providers the hassle and expense of managing, preloading, and re-configuring customer premise equipment (CPE).
About this product: Try out ooma's enhanced calling features with a free trial of ooma Premier, which includes a free second phone line, real-time message screening, one-touch Do Not Disturb and Send to Voicemail, a second personal number with private voicemail, and more
About this product: Now you can use your regular home phone for Skype or any VOIP interface! When your regular phone is connected with this adapter, you can dial and receive calls via Skype/VOIP without the need to buyer a SKYPE phone. This adapter allows any desktop/cordless phone to operate as a dialer and speakerphone for Skype!
About this product: Amazon.com Product Description The familiarity and ease-of-use of a premium cordless phone meets the power and functionality of Skype for a great calling experience. Make calls to your Skype contacts, and friends and family with wireless and land lines via SkypeOut. Plus, international calling is incredibly cheap.
The Logitech Cordless Internet Handset brings the familiarity and ease-of-use of a premium cordless phone* to free Skype calls**. Stay close to friends and family, not your computer — the phone works at a distance of up to 164 feet (50 meters) away from your PC, while the color LCD displays available Skype contacts, Skype Voicemail notifications, caller ID, call waiting, and call history information. Premium appearance, selectable ring tones, and convenience features such as an illuminated dial pad, hands-free speakerphone, belt clip and headset jack make the phone a pleasure to use.
Check voicemails and call your contacts - all from the handset.
Skype Certified - Handset supports Skype voicemail, SkypeIn and SkypeOut.
Features
Separate charging cradle Place the phone and cradle where it is most convenient—only the USB base station connects to the PC.
Illuminated color LCD Displays contacts list, caller ID, voicemail and call waiting notifications, call history, time, and battery status.
Built-in speakerphone and headset jack Use the speakerphone for group calls, or attach a headset for increased privacy and hands-free mobility.
System Requirements
PC running Windows 2000 or XP
400 MHz processor minimum
128 MB RAM minimum
Available USB port
Broadband Internet access
Skype
Product Specifications
Frequency Bands: Europe: 1880-1900MHz, North America: 1880-1900MHz
Standards: DECT (Digital Enchanced Telecommunications Standard), GAP (General Access Profile)
Distance/Range: Up to 164 feet indoors (Up to 950 ft outdoors)
Number of Channels: 10 Channels (Europe), 5 Channels (North America)
Standby/Talktime: Up to 120 Hours/Up to 10 Hours
Phone Dimensions: 5.25" x 1.75" x 1"
USB Base Station
Package Contents
Logitech Cordless Internet Handset
USB wireless receiver
Charging cradle with power adapter
Set-up CD with Skype software
Quick-start guide
2 AAA rechargeable batteries
1-year limited warranty
* No Emergency Calls - Skype is not a replacement for your ordinary telephone and cannot be used for emergency calling. ** Skype services vary in cost and structure and must be acquired separately from Skype. SkypeOut service purchased separately from Skype.
About this product: Stylish and functional in design, the Cisco SPA942 4-line IP Phone with 2-port Switch is ideal for a residence or business using a hosted IP telephony service, an IP private branch exchange (PBX), or a large-scale IP Centrex deployment. The Cisco SPA942 uses industry-leading voice over IP (VoIP) technology from Cisco to deliver an upgradeable high-quality IP phone that is unparalleled in features, value, and support.Based on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), the Cisco SPA942 has been tested to ensure comprehensive interoperability with equipment from VoIP infrastructure leaders, enabling service providers to quickly roll out competitive, feature-rich services to their customers.With hundreds of features and configurable service parameters, the Cisco SPA942 addresses the requirements of traditional business users while taking advantage of the benefits of IP telephony. Features such as easy station moves, presence, and shared line appearances (across local and geographically dispersed locations) are just some of the many advantages.Standard features on the Cisco SPA942 include two active lines, dual-switched Ethernet ports, 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE) support, a high resolution graphical display, full duplex speakerphone, and a 2.5mm headset port. With a simple software update, the SPA942 is upgradeable to a 4-line phone. Each line can be independently configured to use a unique phone number (or extension), or can use a shared number that is assigned to multiple phones.
About this product: With the Plantronics Calisto Pro Series DECT 6.0 Cordless Landline/VoIP Phone with Bluetooth Headset, you can stay connected in your home office and beyond. This unique, hands-free phone system features an integrated, multi-function Bluetooth headset that allows you to remotely answer your landline, VoIP and even mobile phone calls. And with its built-in speakerphone, noise-canceling microphone, and extended mouthpiece, you'll sound professional no matter where you are.
The Plantronics® CalistoTM Pro Series DECT 6.0TM Cordless Landline/VoIP Phone with Bluetooth® Headset offers:
Hands-free operation with your landline, VoIP and mobile phone calls in one device.
Noise-canceling Bluetooth headset for outstanding voice quality.
DECT 6.0 technology for superior range and quality.
Use just one headset for your mobile, landline, and VoIP calls. View larger. View diagram.
No Wires. No Hands. All Business. The Plantronics Calisto Pro is a fully integrated, hands-free phone system that will redefine the way you work at home or in your home office. Offering unprecedented levels of versatility and freedom, this innovative, compact system is ideal for anyone who multi-tasks while talking on the phone. The Calisto Pro lets you communicate hands-free as you email, roam around your home office or home, or even cook dinner. And for the ultimate in convenience and efficiency, it lets you seamlessly switch between your landline, your VoIP service, and your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone calls.
And thanks to the system's superior noise-canceling Bluetooth headset with extended mouthpiece, you'll always sound professional. The Calisto Pro phone operates on DECT 6.0 frequency, which means that call clarity is not affected by Wi-Fi networks or home appliances, such as the microwave, and you can roam up to 300 feet from the base without suffering any degradation in sound quality.
Streamlined, Ergonomic Design The Plantronics Calisto Pro features a streamlined and elegant look that's designed to reduce desktop clutter. The base doubles as a one-stop docking and charging station, and holds both the Bluetooth headset and the compact handset. It includes a USB port that lets you connect to your PC to sync your Outlook contacts in a matter of minutes (the handset has the capacity to hold up to 200 Outlook contact with three phone numbers each) and connect to either your Yahoo! Voice or Skype VoIP service.
The compact handset docks neatly into the base and includes all the calling features you'd expect in a phone, including caller ID, call waiting, 3-way conferencing, redial, speed dial, and more. It features a large, high-resolution LCD for easy viewing and offers up to eight hours of talk time, or 120 hours of standby time, away from the base. A flip-up waist clip lets you carry the handset with you hands-free as you roam.
The Bluetooth headset also offers up to eight hours of talk time, or 240 hours of standby time, per charge, and can be used with your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone wherever your travels take you. And because the headset's features a superior noise-canceling microphone with an extended mouthpiece, you'll never have to worry about sound quality.
Landline, VoIP or Cell--It's Your Choice With the Calisto Pro, the days of acting like a circus juggler with your phone services are over. With the Calisto Pro, you can consolidate your voice communications into a single, convenient and easy-to-use system. By simply connecting the base to your computer with a USB cable, you can make and receive VoIP calls with Skype or Yahoo! Voice. The Calisto Pro also lets you easily switch over to a call on your landline or answer your Bluetooth enabled cell phone through your headset.
The Calisto Pro brings a touch of elegance and a whole lot of convenience into your home office. The PC software is compatible with Windows 2000, XP and Vista and the Mac software is compatible with Mac OS 10.4 and later. Calisto Pro is backed by a 1-year warranty.
What's in the Box Calisto handset, headset and base; telephone and USB cables; AC adapter, software CD, battery pack, and user instructions.