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(More customer reviews)With the explosion of voice over IP applications, new devices appear everyday to supposedly ease our digital life, but the abundance of "standards" and protocols makes it difficult for the end user to figure out exactly what each product can accomplish.
My biggest gripe with this specific product is that despite its name, it's NOT a VoIP phone. A real VoIP phone contains everything that's needed to hook up to a TCP/IP network (wired and/or wireless) and implements a telephony protocol such as the open standard SIP or the proprietary Skype. For instance, the Zyxel W2000 can connect to a SIP server though an ordinary WiFi access point without the help of a computer, because it has an 802.11b wireless interface and implements the SIP protocol.
Instead, this Keyspan phone is just a wireless USB handset, which requires the use of a computer to function. Many similar products have been available for over a year, but they only work on Windows. This one supports both Windows and OSX.
The small box contains the phone, a USB dongle smaller than an iPod Shuffle, an installation CD, a USB to mini-USB cord and three AAA rechargeable Ni-MH batteries. To recharge the phone, you plug it into a powered USB port. Keyspan does not provide a separate charger, but this is a minor issue since this mini-USB connector is becoming increasingly common.
The Macintosh installation adds a small application named WirelessUSBPhone, and a USB driver. The application bridges the Keyspan phone with the Skype application through the use of the Skype API.
To start using the phone, you need to pair it by pressing a tiny button on the USB transmitter while the phone is in close proximity. Once this is done, you can scroll through the contact list on your phone and call them, or you can also dial numbers directly. When calls come into Skype, the screen lights up and displays the caller name.
The sound quality is excellent. The range is also particularly good, considering the tiny size of the components and the lack of external antennas. In my informal tests it is equivalent to that of a recent good quality cordless phone. Finally, the battery life is also very good: I would estimate it to be at least 4 days of stand-by and several hours of talk time, and since it uses standard AAA batteries it's easy to keep a backup set around just in case.
If you're looking for the Skype equivalent of a SIP phone, i.e. a standalone phone that works without relying on a computer, don't buy this product. Otherwise, if you use Skype a lot and wish you could use it without being tethered to your computer, this phone is the perfect answer. Unlike competing products it comes with very high quality software and offers a Macintosh version (Keyspan is well known for the quality of its products and software). Installation could not be easier and the software functions flawlessly and transparently. After a few days with the phone I'm very pleased with my purchase.
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Keyspan VP-24A Cordless Voip Phone Skype Compatible for Mac Or PcProduct Description: Skype brought the world a way to make free calls over the internet.It is now used by millions of consumers.ThisCordless VoIP Phone makes Skype even better by allowing you to use Skype to make and receive calls without being at your computer.While many Skype phones require you to be connected to your PC via a USB cable, the Cordless VoIP Phone uses a wireless signal that allows you to roam within your house or office while using the phone.The phone is designed with mobility in mind. The phone and the small USB receiver are easy to carry anywhere you go. There is no need to carry a bulky charging base station (commonly used by other manufacturers of cordless VoIP phones).How It Works...* Cordless phone receiver plugs into the USB port on a PC or Mac* Phone communicates with the computer over a 2.4 Ghz radio signal that works through walls and furniture* Calls are made over the PC's internet connection using Skype* Open and close Skype with a single button on the phone* The LCD display on the phone shows you who is online, as well as Skype status, battery level and signal qualityFeatures...* Make and receive PC-to-PC and PC-to-Phone calls with Skype* Outdoor range up to 300 ft; Indoor range up to 100 ft* Standby time up to 1200 hours; Talk time up to 15 hours* Recharge batteries by plugging the phone into a USB port on your PC (or with use of optional USB power adapter)* Real time volume control* Supports caller ID and speed dialRequirements:* Windows: PC with an internet connection and available USB port; Windows 2000/XP; Skype account* Mac OS: Mac with an internet connection and available USB port; Mac OS X (10.3 or later); Skype account
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