Linksys iPhone CIT300 - Cordless phone / USB VoIP phone - DECT - Skype Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Never knew what "Skype" was until I bought another phone
at Wal-mart...and hooked it up and was able to make clear sounding call thru the interest for pennies a minute.
Later I wanted to be able to sit on the couch and talk so
I found this cordless iPhone by Linksys (a name I trust) and this is
cordless and I can talk anywhere, even has a speaker.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Linksys iPhone CIT300 - Cordless phone / USB VoIP phone - DECT - Skype

Product Description:
Get cordless handset convenience when you use Skype! Now your don't have to sit in front of your computer when you want to talk to your friends. The Linksys cordless Dual-Mode Internet telephony kit comes with the handset, charger, and a USB base station that plugs into your computer. Dual-Mode capability lets you choose whether to make calls over a standard telephone line or with the Skype application running on your PC. Just select who you want to talk to from your contact list on your Handset, press a button, and get ready to talk.Of course, the Handset supports SkypeOut dialing as well as your Skype contact list. It rings when you have a Skype or SkypeIn call coming in, and shows the caller's ID on the screen. The Handset also supports call waiting and Skype's optional Voicemail service. When you're on a call, you can hit the Mute button for privacy, or use the speakerphone function to let everyone join in.In short, the Linksys Dual-Mode Cordless Internet telephony kit allows you to choose to make calls to other Skype users or over your existing standard telephone line. You'll get the convenience of a cordless phone and all its features, plus the high-quality voice reception that you get from Skype on your PC, without being tied to your computer.

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Actiontec VoSKY Skype Call Center ( USB07051C-01 ) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a must have, if you like skype. I never liked the pc calls in the early days due to the voice drops and the choppy sounds. But ever since skype came on to the scene, it has been a great experience. The voice quality is unbelievable. I have my folks from India calling me (I am located in US) from their PC using skype. Best of all it is free for me, as the internet connectivity is broadband for both my parents and me, so we can talk for ever without any per minutecharges to the telecommunication company.

One issue with skype was that I am kind of tethered to the PC.
Well, not any more. With the vosky call center, I am no where near my PC. Infact I use skype from my mobile phone these days.
(see it is free after night and weekends for both incoming and outgoing calls). You might be thinking I have some of those fancy paid skype services such as skypein and skype out. Well No, nada. What makes it possible is this little product.
The setup is fairly simple. It has just three outlets. The telephone line goes to one of them. The other outlet connects to the telephone. The third one is a USB port which goes to the PC (with windows xp). I keep the PC always on with skype connected with my account. Now, I have setup all my family and friends with speed dialing numbers such as 1, 2 etc. Now all I have to call them from my regular phone is ##1.
Also dialing ## takes me to this vosky call center exchange. I can call any of my contacts with the preset speed dial numbers I have setup. Also, I can call from my mobile phone to my home phone number and access my callcenter(like those answering systems - password protected). Another cool feature is that I can put a wakeup call on any phones, whenever my contacts become online. So I do not have to setup a ren de vouz with my parents for a prearranged time for the PC calls. All they have to do is call my skype account, and my regular phone will ring. Also, from my phone, I can call my skype contact, and if they are offline, it gives me an option to
altert me when they become on line. So as soon as my parents sign in, I get alerted on my phone(or mobile).

Also, my PC has VPN, skype and call center software works in both mode. So thats is great too. Also, when the PC is off, my regular phone works as before.

Also you have the option to setup an answering system, which will route all calls to your PC as audio files.

Do not waste time buying USB phone/mic/speakers etc, when you can use your regular phone, anywhere, anytime.
I will post some pictures of my setup on www.emindshop.com

Click Here to see more reviews about: Actiontec VoSKY Skype Call Center ( USB07051C-01 )

Product Description:
Now VoSKY Call Center from Actiontec takes the great sound quality and low cost of Skype calls and makes these features accessible everywhere, on any phone. Place Skype and SkypeOut calls from your home, mobile, office or any phone .Receive incoming Skype calls to any phone. Get notified on any phone when your Skype contact becomes online

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Grandstream GXP-2000 - VoIP phone - SIP - matte black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This IP Phone is a good device for SoHo and it is good by the price

Click Here to see more reviews about: Grandstream GXP-2000 - VoIP phone - SIP - matte black

Product Description:
The Grandstream GXP-2000 IP Phone is an award-winning next generation IP network telephone based on industry open standards. Built upon innovative technology, Grandstream IP Phone features market leading superb sound quality and rich functionalities at ultra-affordable price.

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magicJack Phone Device - 2 pack Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've own this product for awhile now. Yes it does all what is listed on the company website. The incoming voice quality is good and almost near landline voice quality. Outgoing voice quality is adequate. Several people say the sound is almost like I'm calling from overseas but they can hear me Ok.

Cons:
[Audio Conferencing]
When dialing into audio conferencing services thia is where the system doesn't recognize passcodes to dial-in.

[Delay]
Short delay in calls both incoming and outgoing.

[Fax]
No support as of yet for Faxing. I was able to receive a fax based on the information magicjack list on there website. No success in sending a fax.

[Voicemail]
Tad bit sluggish.

Pros:
- Cost
- Easy setup
- Features

Click Here to see more reviews about: magicJack Phone Device - 2 pack

Product Description:
With magicJackTM never pay a monthly phone bill again. Simply plug the magic|Jack into the USB port on your computer with a highspeed internet connection, plug in any phone or phone system and you're done! Never again pay a monthly telephone line charge or any bills for local or long distance calls! With Magic Jack there are no contracts. There are no hidden charges or fees.

Get 10% OFF

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Belkin Wi-Fi Phone for Skype with Boingo Hot Spot Manager ( F1PP000GN-SK ) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Being someone who uses Skype constantly for both business and personal long distance and PC-to-PC phone calls, I got a Belkin Wi-Fi Phone for Skype as a Christmas gift from a loved one who knows just how nerdy I am when it comes to new gadgets. I love them!

Unfortunately, I can only say that I *like* the new wi-fi phone from Belkin. Appearance-wise, it's terrific with a sleek black case, color screen and attractive key layout. It's a good, comfortable size and feels about like a stylish mobile phone. It comes with a USB cable for charging and software updates, as well as a regular power cord for charging. You can use the phone while it's connected to the charger, which is what I find myself doing a lot.

The sound quality is good and it connected right to my household wi-fi system once I punched in the security code. The controls are easy to access and use. I was quite excited to get going with it and used it for several days without incident.

Then it froze. No matter what I did, the buttons made no difference and the screen stubbornly stuck on 11:38 a.m. and no amount of prodding would break it free. I looked for some sort of reset button like you get with a Palm or other PDA-like device, but there isn't one. I finally decided that the only way to get the baby to reset would be to take out the battery and put it back in.

Thus, my next problem. The battery cover refused to budge. It was as if it had been super-glued shut. I pulled, pushed, yanked but it held firm. I had no other choice than to resort to the proverbial waste of time - support.

Yep, total waste of time. I tracked down Belkin support, filled out the form to inform them of my problem (frozen screen, stuck battery case) and got an answer from some clueless girl telling me I should go into the menu and use the "reset" function. Duh? The SCREEN IS FROZEN, honey! How the heck am I supposed to do that!

So, back to pulling, tugging and yanking on the battery cover. I finally managed to pry one corner up and get enough leverage to get the darned thing open without breaking it. I pulled the battery out, the phone reset and I was up and running again.

My next disappointment came when I stayed at a hotel that offered free wi-fi. I had hoped to use the phone to make some calls, but, alas, the hotel requires you to open their web page in a browser before you can connect to their access. That's all, just open their page in a browser - no inputting codes or anything. Just an open browser.

The Belkin phone has no Internet browser, a terrible oversight for a product that people will want to use at Internet cafes and the like. Not a smart move, Belkin.

Yes, the phone is supported by Boingo, which has hotspots here and there. In my area, my choices are a UPS Store or an RV park. Somehow I can't see myself hanging around those to make phone calls. I'm out of luck at Starbucks, hotels and anywhere without completely open wi-fi access.

Another minor peave is the lack of Skype chat support. My company uses Skype chat a lot during the business day, so I can't plan on using the Belkin Skype phone exclusively for business because there's no chat support. I understand that trying to do chat on that itsy bitsy keyboard is difficult, but people send text messages all the time on cell phones, so there should be support for chat. If nothing else, I'd like to be able to set the phone up to let people know that I don't have Skype chat, try me on AIM or whatever.

Anyway, don't think I'm totally unhappy with the Belkin Wi-Fi-Phone for Skype. I'm not. It's great to carry around the house with me when I'm not on the computer. It just means I have to switch back and forth between it and a Skype-enabled computer quite a bit. I guess my suggestion for those considering one is to say that it's great if you just want a wireless Skype phone for home, have no need for Skype chat and don't plan on trying to use it too many places outside your home network. It's a shame, but it probably won't work for you on the road or in your neighborhood Starbucks.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Belkin Wi-Fi Phone for Skype with Boingo Hot Spot Manager ( F1PP000GN-SK )

Product Description:
Pre-loaded with Skype software and featuring the same Skype interface, the Belkin Wi-Fi Phone is ready to use with any wireless network. To make a call, simply use the intuitive on-screen color menu to locate your contact and view their online availability-exactly like you use Skype today. The Wi-Fi Phone is Skype-certified, which means that it adheres to all Skype's requirements to ensure that your Wi-Fi Phone experience is just like it is on your PC.

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Linksys SPA3000 Analog Telephone Adapter 1 Port FXO + 1 Port FXS Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a powerful product, but with lots of settings, no manual, and some complexity to configure.Once configured, it works beautifully.I've configured it so that our local calls go out through our regular local phone company on the regular local phone line, but our long distance calls seamlessly go out via SIP on our VOIP provider.My non-technical wife just picks up the phone and dials any number, and it automatically figures out how to place the call for a good rate.Incoming calls just come in seamlessly.Caller ID works fine.It took about five evenings to get it set up properly, and I have a degree in computer science and lots of computer networking experience.

There's no manual provided with the product, and Sipura has not made the manuals easily visible on their website.If you're thinking about this product, do a web search for help in figuring out how to configure it.This is NOT something you'll just figure out without documentation.

Some embedded documentation would help this product tremendously. It's mostly configured via a web browser; while configuring, I should be able to click a "help" button for an explanation of what the various fields do.Even a well-written paper manual would help (the .pdf file I found wasn't so great).If this product were documented properly, it'd almost certainly rate 5 stars.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Linksys SPA3000 Analog Telephone Adapter 1 Port FXO + 1 Port FXS

Product Description:
The SPA-3000 continues to deliver on Sipura Technology's mission to provide market leading, best-in-class VoIP end points providing freedom and opportunity to service providers and end users.The SPA-3000 features VoIP adapter functionality found in the SPA-2000 and SPA-1000/1 with the additional benefit of an integral connection for legacy telephone network "hop-on, hop-off" applications. SPA-3000 users will be able to leverage their broadband phone service connections more than ever by automatically routing local calls from cell phones and land lines to a VoIP service provider and vice versa.A typical user calling from a land line or mobile phone will be able to reduce and even eliminate international and long distance telephone charges by first calling their SPA-3000 via a local phone number or by using a telephone connected directly to the unit. The advanced authentication and call routing intelligence programmed into the SPA-3000 will connect the caller via the Internet to the far end destination with security and ease. Using the SPA-3000 at the far end, calls can be answered immediately or further processed as a local call to any legacy landline or mobile phone allowed by the SPA-3000 dial plan.

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Netgear Dual Mode Cordless Phone with Skype(SPH200D) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been using this phone for little over two months and really like it. Before, I couldn't warm up to using Skype because I didn't want to be tied to my computer. Now with this phone I'm using it now for all of my outgoing (SkypeOut) calls. My long distance bill has fallen to zero and I've reduced the number of cell minutes as well.

There is practically no setup. I just plugged the base unit into my router, and it connected automatically to my network. I did have to punch in my Skype name and password on the numeric keypad, but it turns out that I could have done that easily through a web browser - the base unit has a configuration page similar to other Netgear routers. Once my name and password were in, I could start calling.

The phone displays all of the contacts that you have previously set up with Skype. In fact, I recommend using Skype on your computer to do all of the setup - it's just easier that way. The phone even shows the amount of Skype credits that I have.

The voice quality is great, but there is a slight delay - similar to what you get when your overseas call is routed through a satellite. I like the fact that the phone comes with a standard 1/8-inch headset jack - I use a headset for most of my calls.

As far as wireless range, I've been able to range throughout my house with no discernable dropouts. It's seems to get better range than my 2.4GHz cordless phone and my WIFI.

So the bottom line is: I'm happy with this phone, happy that it's Skype, and I plan to keep using it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Netgear Dual Mode Cordless Phone with Skype(SPH200D)

Product Description:
Your internet connection can easily become a phone line, allowing you to make free, or very cheap, calls worldwide. The Netgear SPH-200D Cordless Phone with Skype takes all the hassle out of the process. You don't need to install any software, or even turn on your PC. All you have to do is plug the

Place Skype handsets all over your home for total wireless freedom, no matter how you choose to connect. View larger.

The SPH-200D lets you make and receive calls in three different ways. Learn more.

The handset comes with a base station that enables traditional land line calling. A charging cradle is included, too.

An easy, user-friendly interface makes calling a snap. Cordless Base Station into your internet router and start using Skype's worldwide internet phone service to talk to your friends and relations wherever they may roam. And if that's not enough, the SPH-200D also replaces your land line phone. Just plug the base station into any active phone jack and it becomes a traditional cordless phone as well.
Three Phones in One
There are three ways to use the SPH-200D. For no cost at all you can make Skype-to-Skype calls anywhere in the world. Skype software is pre-loaded on the phone, so you can start calling any other Skype users at their computers or at similar Skype phones right out of the box. An intuitive on-screen menu lets you see which Skype friends are online and available to call. Push a button and you're making a free domestic or international call.
Your second option costs only pennies per minute and includes no monthly fees. With SkypeOut you buy phone time in advance, then use the internet to make calls to cell or land line phones all over the world. You can also get a SkypeIn account for a small fee, which gives you an internet phone number, allowing friends to call you from any phone, anywhere, anytime. With the SPH-200D you can do all of this without fooling with software or plugging headsets into your PC. It's all there in the palm of your hand.
And of course the SPH-200D is also a traditional cordless phone. With the latest cordless technology, DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications), the handset delivers incredible range, clear voice quality, and a full menu of digital features. You can even add up to three additional handsets, which allows you to replace all the old-fashioned phones in your home with one that truly belongs in the 21st century.
What's in the Box
Cordless phone with Skype, rechargeable battery, cordless base station, power adapters for the charging cradle and base station, setup guide, and warranty card.
For calls made through Skype and/or the SkypeOut service. Terms and conditions of the Skype services are subject to change at any time in the sole discretion of Skype Limited

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Ooma Telo DECT 6.0 Cordless Handset (100-0200-200) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I got this phone as a bonus freebie with a paid one-year Premium subscription on the ooma Telo.I chose the handset because you must have at least one ooma Telo handset to use the second line feature (available with Premium subscription) of the Telo, and I liked the idea of being able to access my Telo voicemails from the handset.But, when the handset arrived, I was a bit disappointed (see below the feature lists for Positives/Negatives and comparison).

Notable Handset Features:
DECT 6.0 technology
Intercom between handsets
Online phonebook
Caller ID
One-touch voicemail access
Speakerphone
Call log

Premier-enabled Handset Features:
Instant 2nd line
Do not disturb
Send to voicemail
Personal number
Private voicemail
Call screening

Phone Menu Features:
Do not disturb mode
Call Forwarding mode
Auto Answer
Auto Hangup
Voicemail speaker mode
Call screening (you can remotely listen to voicemails as they are left, and pick up in the middle)
Incoming call ring
Ringer volume
Earpiece volume
Speaker volume
Handset software update feature (must place phone in charger base)

NOTE: At the time the handset was released, the Telo base only supported ONE handset.Ooma plans to release a future firmware around 12/4/2009 that will enable more than one handset.

Battery pack note: The handset uses a NiMH battery pack, model HB1001.

Positives:
1. You can turn on "Do not disturb", to prevent ringing.

2. Apparently, you can set Call Forwarding, though I haven't done so.

3. You can screen calls from the handset, when away from the Telo base unit.

4. You can retrieve voicemails from the Telo without being at the base unit.

5. Even when someone else is using the primary Telo phone line (with Premium service), you can make outgoing calls on "line 2".That's handy when you have others trying to use the phone a the same time.You can't access the "second line" of the Telo base unless you use the Telo handset.

6. Using the handset, you can send a call to voicemail by pressing a button.That is handy if someone has something that you want to write down but don't have a pen and paper handy.You can pick it back up using the call screening feature.

7. You can get a second phone number and assign it as a private line to a particular handset, with its own voice mail.

Negatives:
1. It has no headset jack, doesn't seem to support a wireless headset.It does have a speakerphone feature, but I prefer a headset for privacy.

2. I'm not a fan of how it is shaped.The back of the phone is smooth and round, but where the face meets the outer edge, the phone has a sharp edge. My personal preference is for rounded corners because it just feels better.

3. The contrast of the handset's LCD is not very good.Even on maximum, it looks a bit faint to me, regardless of the angle of viewing, in a normally lit room.Also, the typeset used on the LCD is tiny, which might be hard on older eyes.

4. The charging base has a very bright blue LED on the front (similar to the Telo base's blue backlighting but brighter).If it is put anywhere in visual range, it is very distracting, especially in a dark room. Taping over that LED might help.

5. The Telo handset is supposed to have HD call quality, but I haven't noticed better call quality than that of my Panasonic KX-TG6445.In fact, it sounds a bit more tinny and metallic than my Panasonic, with a slight hiss in the background.That sound quality comparison is when comparing the Panasonic connected to the telephone input on the Telo base.

Comparison to Panasonic KX-TG6445 Panasonic Dect 6.0 Titanium Black Cordless Phone with Answering Machine (KX-TG6445T):
I bought the Panasonic set specifically to go with the Telo base unit since I could put the base in my closet (with my Telo base unit and Internet router), and then have cordless access around the house.I bought the Panasonic set because the Telo handsets weren't available at the time I bought my Telo base.The Panasonic phone has a headset jack, and a belt clip.The Panasonic also has larger type on the LCD than the Telo handset, with better contrast.The LCD quality, features, call quality, and feel in my hand are all superior to the ooma Telo handset.Also, the Panasonic uses generic AA-size NiMH rechargable batteries, which can be cheaply replaced when they wear out.

I realize this is ooma's first handset, but I wish they had done a better job.If they had used the Panasonic as a benchmark, they would have put out a much better phone.Unless you plan on using the second line or other special features of the ooma Telo, you don't need the handset.The voicemail and call screening features are available from the Telo base unit.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Ooma Telo DECT 6.0 Cordless Handset (100-0200-200)

Product Description:
Get the most out of your Ooma Telo with the official Ooma Telo Cordless Handset. Thanks to DECT 6.0 technology, the handset provides enhanced sound quality as well as security. It places all of Ooma's features at your fingertips, including one-touch voicemail access, second line service, and phonebook access. If you're an Ooma Premier subscriber, the handset also allows you to take full advantage of advanced features like private voicemail and personal number settings. Quite simply, you'll be able to enjoy premium phone features without having to worry about nickel-and-dime service fees.
NOTE: The handset requires an Ooma Telo (sold separately.) Each Ooma Telo can support up to four handsets.


Synch the handset to the Ooma Telo (sold separately) at the touch of a button .

Secure calls, clear reception.

Featuring caller ID, instant second line, voicemail access and more. View larger.
Ooma: The New Way to Call
Switching to Ooma lets you enjoy all the benefits of a local and long distance telephone service, but without the high costs or monthly bills. By adding an Ooma Telo to your landline and to your high-speed Internet service, you can make calls anywhere in the United States for free, without any monthly charges. At the same time, international calls will be pennies on the dollar. And by replacing your landline with an Ooma Telo Cordless Handset, you can immediately access all the great calling features that Ooma offers.
DECT 6.0 Technology for Maximum Clarity
The Ooma Telo's sound quality has often been described as "better than a landline." With the Ooma Handset, you'll enjoy even greater clarity. It features DECT 6.0 technology, which guarantees reception and security without interfering with your local Wi-Fi network. It also maximizes your handset's range, allowing you to wander freely about your house while talking.
Advanced Voicemail Features
The Ooma Handset helps you make the most of Ooma's superior voicemail options. At the touch of a button, you can listen to your voicemail from anywhere in your house. If you're screening your calls, you can activate the "Do Not Disturb" mode and forward all of your calls to voicemail. You can even record your calls to voicemail by pressing the "Sent to Voicemail" button after you've picked up the phone.
Online Phonebook Access
The Ooma Handset allows you to download your entire online phonebook and access it at any time. You'll be able to look up and dial numbers from anywhere in the house, without having to refer to your address book first.
Caller ID for Effective Call Screening
With the Ooma Handset, you'll know who's calling before you answer the phone. The Ooma Handset displays the incoming caller's number, allowing you to avoid unwanted calls. If you don't recognize the caller, you'll have the option to listen to their message first and then decide whether you want to pick up.
Instant Second Line
If you share your house with a phone hog, Ooma's Instant Second Line feature presents a solution for you. When the line is already in use, you can simply pick up a second Ooma Handset and get a fresh dial tone. Up to two separate calls can be made simultaneously.
Personal Number
With an affordable Ooma Premier subscription, you'll gain access to the Personal Number feature. This feature allows you to create a unique phone number for everyone in the family. Multiple numbers can be mapped to the same handset, but you can make each number ring distinctively so you know who the call is for. Up to nine additional numbers are allowed.
Add Unwanted Callers to Your Blacklist
The Ooma Handset also allows you to instantly add unwanted callers to your blocked list. If telemarketers are harassing you, simply press the "Blacklist" button to avoid future calls.
Loud, Clear Speakerphone
The Ooma Handset features a built-in speakerphone with loud and crisp sound. When you need to multitask, just activate the speakerphone for hands-free conversation.
Intercom
With the intercom feature, you can use multiple Ooma handsets like walkie-talkies to communicate with family members from room to room. You can also use the intercom to transfer calls between different handsets.
Detailed Call Log
The Ooma Handset's detailed call log helps you keep a meticulous record of your phone history. It allows you to view all incoming calls, outgoing calls, and call duration.
What's in the Box
Ooma Telo Handset, cradle, A/C adapter, battery.

Get 2% OFF

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Cisco PAP2 Phone Adapter for Vonage Internet Phone Service Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am going to strictly comment on the Linksys PAP2. A lot of the reviews on here have been for the Vonage service. The Linksys PAP2 is NOT THE Vonage service, but one of many adapters you can use.

I am extreamly satisfied with my Linksys PAP2. It is small, light weight, and perfect for those who need to travel. The voice quality is excellent and people say I do not sound like I am talking over VOIP. There is no line noise, static, popping, etc.

I am giving this product 4 stars. Why? Because there is only ONE ethernet port. If you have a router, just connect the PAP2 to one of your available ethernet ports and you are good to go. If you do not have a router, consider getting another Vonage phone adapter with built in 4-port router. There are several.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cisco PAP2 Phone Adapter for Vonage Internet Phone Service

Product Description:
With Vonage, you can make calls through the Internet, potentially save on long-distance charges, and access a rich assortment of call features. Plans start as low as $14.99 per month, and the Premium Unlimited plan offers unlimited calling to the U.S. and Canada for only $24.99 per month. And it's easy to use: For making and receiving calls,Vonage works just like a traditional phone service; no special access codes or account numbers are required.
Easy Hardware Setup

All Vonage plans let you enjoy the call features you've become accustomed to-call waiting, caller ID, voicemail, call forwarding, three-way calling, call return, repeat dialing, and reliable long distance-plus other features that may be new to you. For example, you can receive your voicemail as an email attachment, and you'll have a phone number that travels with you.Visit http://www.vonage.com/amazon to see which plan is best suited to your lifestyle and budget. The low monthly rates are quite reasonably priced,in our opinion, and with them you may save considerably compared to traditional phone service. International calls are available for additional low fees, with one economical exception: calls from the U.S.to Canada are treated like domestic long distance calls, rather than international. Vonage also supports short-form emergency 911 services, where available. (Dialing 911 requires activation and operates differently than traditional 911. See Vonage's website for details.)
This Vonage Internet Phone Service Starter Kit is quick and easy to install in your home or business. All you need is a high-speed Internet connection (cable or DSL modem) and a touchtone phone. Setup is simple: Just connect one end of the included Vonage-certified Linksys PAP2 phone adapter to your Ethernet router or gateway and the other end to your telephone. Then sign up for Vonage phone service. An extra port on the adapter allows you to attach an additional phone or fax machine.You'll have instant access to both phone lines, each with a separate number, and you can even assign them different area codes (subject to availability).You can still surf the web while talking on the phone or receiving faxes. The phone adapter includes a generous three-year warranty from the manufacturer.
What's in the Box
Linksys phone adapter, power adapter, user's guide on CD-ROM, network cable, quick installation card, Vonage Internet PhoneService Starter plan, support information and promotional offers, registration card

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USB Skype VoIP to PSTN (RJ11) Cordless Phone Adapter Support SIP, Skype MSN Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This unit works very well for voice calls. Easy to install. I'm using it with a four phone cordless system.

I have only one issue and it may be a SKYPE issue. I am unable to use it with my fax machine to transmitt faxes. The machine responds with "poor line quality". There's an app for SKYPE to allow you to send faxes from your computer that I have not tried yet. That might determine if it's SKYPE or the adapter.

If you don't need fax capability, then this is a great way to drop POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service)

Click Here to see more reviews about: USB Skype VoIP to PSTN (RJ11) Cordless Phone Adapter Support SIP, Skype MSN

Product Description:
Receive both VOIP calls and PSTN (regular) calls simultaneously. PC-to-PC, PC-to-phone, Phone to Phone operation. SKYPE-ready. Share your standard phone line with SKYPE. Plug-and-play installation; USB1.1 compatible; no need for a sound card. Complies with H.323, MGCP & SIP protocol. On-board echo cancellation & noise reduction. Full duplex communication. Powered by USB. No external power required. System Requirements P2 with 200 MHz CPU or better with USB interface. 64 MB RAM. 10 MB or more of hard drive space. Operating System: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP. Network: LAN, ADSL, ISDN, 33.6K modem or better.

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Siemens Gigaset HDSP DECT 6.0 Handset for the A580IP (A58H) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First lets not start bitching about Skype not being supported to be as 'a fatal design flaw' since this device was never designed nor advertised to work with Skype. If Skype is being closed system and not following industry standard (SIP) that's Skype's fault. There are tons of SIP providers with rates much cheaper than Skype.

Pros:
- uses 2xAAA NiMH batteries that can be had easily and cheap or in cases of emergency you can use non-rechargeabe batteries
- sound quality is outstanding both VoIP and POTS lines albeit volume is fairly low for both earpiece and speakerphone. There is no background hissing or delays like from ATA adapters such as SPA3102, nothing at all.
- long range and battery life
- keyboard is indeed backlit unlike what some suggest here
- headset physical layout is pretty good and I find it to be of very good build quality although prone to smudges. Keypad size and responsiveness is pretty good.
- It can tail stand easily and it is recessed a bit so you can see display nicely

Cons:
- menu is confusing and some button option orientation is weird. For example first option that shows in menu is SMS option - how many folks will use this? 'Clear' button is programmed on the left side, hmmm ... maybe good for lefties
- volume is too low for my taste

I gave it a 5/5 even though headset volume is too low to my taste.
Reason why I gave it 5/5 is to applaud functionality and quality that comes with this whole A580IP system (6 SIP + 1POTS) for I would say fairly low price. After all how many phone manufacturer came with a standalone all-in-one product like this?

Click Here to see more reviews about: Siemens Gigaset HDSP DECT 6.0 Handset for the A580IP (A58H)

Product Description:
Each Gigaset accessory handset includes a handsfree speakerphone for comfort and convenience, and popular features like phonebook transfer between handsets, polyphonic ringtones and interactive infoservices Gugaset handsets also offer exceptional range and ECO-mode, designed to reduce the handsets pwer consumption.

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Cisco-Linksys Wireless-G Bridge for phone adapters WBP54G Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was extremely hesitant in getting this because I worried that voice lag would be created by the semi-complicated setup we have.

To give some background:
We have 3 cordless phones around our house that talk to a central base station that is plugged into a wall jack. Elsewhere in the house, we have Linksys PAP2 device (Vonage Service) that one end plugs into the wall (backfeeding to the phone base station), and the other half was plugged into our home router.

For those Visual People:
Cordless Phone > Phone Base Station > House Wiring > PAP2 > Router > Cable Modem > Vonage

My concern was that by inserting a Wireless Bridge between the PAP2 and the Router (which is now on the other side of the house), that a delay would be created, or the signal would occasionally just drop.

I am happy to say that I completely over thought the complications of it.

When the device came, I followed the setup wizard on the CD (didn't bother with the picture book type printed instructions) and had the bridge configured in about 15 minutes. I then moved the PAP2 and Bridge to where I needed them, and plugged it in...and like magic, everything worked great. We've had no lag, no problems, and most importantly, no signal drops.

While wired is still the most reliable method to make sure your VoiP phone device talks to your network consistently, I would definitely recommend this device to anyone who has to take the wireless route.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cisco-Linksys Wireless-G Bridge for phone adapters WBP54G

Product Description:
Now you can put your IP Phone almost anywhere in the building, without the cost and hassle of running network cables. The Wireless-G Bridge for Phone Adapters was specially designed to convert your IP Phone into a wireless device, so it can connect to your network without an Ethernet cable. This lets you put your IP Phone where it s most convenient and frees you from the constraints of plugging into the nearest network port.

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Ooma Core VoIP Phone System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been a Vonage customer for three years and suffered through all of their growing pains.At $25 a month though for unlimited service I thought I would check to see what other options were available and decided on giving Ooma a try.

The Ooma hardware is well designed, with thoughtful touches like a built in speaker for listening to voicemail and a brightness control so that you can turn down the brightness of the unit in a bedroom.The hardware comes wonderfully packaged like a product from Apple and includes just about any of the cords you might need to get everything connected with your existing service.

Setup was quite easy.You have to get online and activate the Ooma Hub unit by entering the MAC address on the bottom of the unit and telling Ooma what kind of service setup you are doing, such as whether you will use Ooma with an existing line, get a new phone number, etc.They don't even need your credit card and you are activated.

If you are getting a new phone number then you are essentially done at this point.You get a new phone number to use, and you connect the Ooma hub to your home network.Ooma recommends you put the Ooma hub between your Cable or DSL modem and your home router (if you have one).The reason for this is that it allows the Ooma unit to manage your outbound internet traffic and make sure your phone calls are optimized ahead of other traffic, so that phone calls always have priority, sound good and work properly.

If you have a more sophisticated home network router than can do traffic shaping, recognition of IP audio, etc (some of the top of the line D-Link models have these "QoS" features built in) then you can simply plug the Ooma hub into such a router and get good results.

After plugging in the Ooma to your home network you simply connect a home phone to the Ooma unit and you are pretty much ready to go.There is an "ooma music" dial tone you will hear when you make or receive a call.This is one of the ways Ooma lets you and others know you are using their system and is sort of a free advertising that lets people know you are using this service.

You can plug the Ooma hub back in to one of your home wall jacks and then connect the Ooma scout unit in to another jack in the house so that you can use a 2nd phone there.The scout can even be configured to only ring on a 2nd line, have it's own voicemail, etc... this is possible because the Ooma hub has a built in DSL network system in it that allows it to communicate with the scout units over your home phone wiring.This is very sophisticated compared to other VoIP vendor offerings.You can add up to about 20 scouts on the system and keep adding lines, etc, but obviously there are bandwidth and practical limits that you might run into in such a scenario.

If you are porting a number things get a bit more complicated. After indicating I wanted to port my number I was informed on their website that I needed to call them to complete the porting process.The agent I reached was a bit confused and kept insisting I should just use my existing phone service with Ooma.About the 3rd time of telling him I just wanted to get my number ported he got the paperwork started up.They email you some forms a few days after activation that you need to fill out and fax in to get your number ported, which takes a few weeks.In the interim you are assigned a temporary number to use and you can plug your existing line into the Ooma hub and it will take your inbound calls and route them through the Ooma system.There is a $40 charge for porting your existing number but Ooma will waive this fee if you sign up for the $99 premier service that includes a 2nd phone number plus additional features.Ooma advertises that you can keep your original home service as a backup line, so that your phone works even if the Internet is down, but in my experience Internet service is at least as reliable as my old school home phone line.Anyways, it's your choice.

In my case I elected to port my number, but didn't connect my old line to the Ooma Hub (as the agent insisted I do), I simply forwarded the number to the temporary phone number that Ooma assigned to me during the porting process.

Ooma offers a full suite of software features such as "simulring" (ring a cell or 2nd line at the same time your Ooma phone is ringing), magical "2nd phone line" from another phone on the system when the 1st line is busy, etc.You can control your entire Ooma system from the "Ooma Lounge" which is basically a web page you can access from anywhere that lets you control your Ooma system, features, additional numbers, caller ID, etc.You can learn a lot more about these features on Ooma's website so I won't go into them in great detail since this review is long as it is.

Sound quality on the Ooma is very very good.My mom who is used to hearing me talk on my Vonage line immediately noticed how much better the service was.Sound quality should be excellent provided you connect the Ooma equipment properly.

I would strongly recommend this service to anyone with even a basic technical ability.If you simply need the "basics" of phone service such as call waiting, caller ID and voicemail, Ooma will be a one time purchase.Their premium services are also very nice and reasonable at only $99 a year (sure beats paying Vonage $300 a year for similar features).

One question that keeps coming up is how Ooma can make money with this model.The answer is that Ooma makes money when you buy the system hardware and also makes money when you subscribe to the $99 premium service.There's no saying that they won't increase the price of the premium services at some time in the future.Also, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ooma come up with new tempting hardware offers down the road such as better "scout" and "hub" units that offer features such as video calling between Ooma subscribers.

I am a voice over IP engineer and can certainly recommend the Ooma service, it's a great option compared to spending $30-$60 a month for basic phone service with your local phone company.Ooma supports E-911 for emergency calling, and if you are really worried about having a phone line during a power outage simply connect your cable modem, Ooma Hub and cordless phone system to a UPS Battery Back UP and you will have power for at least an hour during a power loss since all those devices will be running on battery.

I highly recommend this product and the model that Ooma are starting to put together to move beyond the "bell head" phone system that we all grew up with.

12/16 update//

I wanted to provide an update to my review and answer a few additional questions.My number port was completed by Ooma almost exactly three weeks after the request which is fantastic.When the porting request is completed you start to log into the Ooma Lounge with your "real" phone number versus the temporary one that Ooma assigns to you.

I had no issues setting up my 2nd line either.Simply select from available numbers in the area code of your choice and tell Ooma how you want the call handled when it comes in (if you want it to ring to a particular hub/scout, have its own voicemail, etc).Now on to a few questions and/or mis-information I have seen about the Ooma system.

1. I have seen a lot of posts comparing Ooma to Magic Jack.There is no comparison.Magic Jack is a USB adapter that requires a PC running 24/7 to handle your phone calls. PC crashes, no phone.Want multiple lines/scouts... too bad.The Magic Jack is a toy compared to Ooma.Additionally Ooma's basic features are far superior to Magic Jack and requires NO FEES!With Magic Jack you do have to pay annual fees for unlimited calling.So Ooma will actually be cheaper in the long run for most users!

2. I have also seen reviews indicating that Ooma works well, but choppy voice is experienced when using the Internet.This is caused by incorrect installation of the Ooma hardware.Ooma hub must be installed BETWEEN your cable modem and your home router or it cannot prioritize your telephone calls for good quality!The only exception is if you have a home router that prioritizes your voice traffic, such as some higher end models.If in doubt you must put the Ooma directly behind your Cable or DSL modem to get the optimum performance!

3.I have also seen people comment that you can't use multiple phones with the Ooma system.This is only partially correct.If you want to use scouts and the features they offer (have a 2nd or 3rd number ring in to a scout, etc) then yes, you would need a scout for each phone you want to use with Ooma.However, if you just want a "shared line" (like regular home telephone service) then you can simply plug your Ooma Hub into your home phone jack and plug in as many other phones as you want.This will prevent some of the advanced features from working, but will basically work like a Vonage system, etc.Obviously many people have multiple handset wireless systems these days so they will just plug their wireless base station into the Ooma Hub and use scouts for other phones.

4.Someone asked me the question if I work for Ooma since I've commented in many reviews.The answer is no, I don't work for Ooma but I am a very satisfied customer and a voice over IP engineer with 13 years of industry experience.Ooma is the best residential voice over IP system I've ever seen and I very much would like them to succeed and offer their superior service for decades to come.The only way this will happen is with strong word of mouth advertising from professionals such as myself!

2/28 update//

There have been numerous questions...Read more›

Click Here to see more reviews about: Ooma Core VoIP Phone System

Product Description:
In a volatile economy, there's one utility you can save with the aid of VOIP technology - your phone service costs. Smart and stylish, the ooma Hub and ooma Scout partner with your high-speed Internet and your existing home phones to deliver free home phone service. Your one-time purchase eliminates monthly bills for U.S. calling and delivers extremely low rates for international calls. Your one-time purchase of an award-winning ooma Hub device frees your phone service. Call anyone, at any number, anywhere in the U.S. without charge. Think how much you pay the phone company each year. Now imagine what you could do with all the money you save. Ooma is the only company in the history of the telecom industry that lets you own your dialtone. Your one-time ooma purchase eliminates monthly charges for unlimited US calling. Compared to other stand-alone VoIP providers, there are no monthly fees for US calling. Plus, the ooma system has been architected to deliver exceptional voice quality and reliability, giving you the crisp, acoustic performance of a landline, without the associated fees. A number of our customers have reported that ooma delivers "excellent voice quality," "better than landline." Easy-to-read manuals are full of colorful diagrams and simple instructions to make set-up as painless as possible. It takes the average customer less than 20 minutes to activate and install the ooma system. Using the ooma system is even easier! ooma devices have been designed to provide an intuitive out-of-box experience. Ooma can move your number from your current phone provider for a one-time fee of $39.99. To use the ooma Hub device, you need TWO things: 1. A high-speed Internet connection (cable/DSL/fiber-optic); and 2. A home phone. 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.

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Dual Mode Cordless Phone for Skype & Regular Phonecalls Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)These are great VOIP phones, and they run on all Windows.
You just have to tell it to run in XP mode/

Heres a forum to help. Runs wonderful in Vista ultimate, but just about everything does.

[...]

Click Here to see more reviews about: Dual Mode Cordless Phone for Skype and Regular Phonecalls

Product Description:
Works as traditional (connected through RJ-11) and / orSkype-enabled cordless phone. Based on DECT technology and supports up to4 additional handsets. B / W alpha-numeric LCD display with Skype contact listintegrated on handset. 10 polyphonic ring tones. Extended battery life with 8 hours talk time and 110hours standby time. Additional features with digital clock and alarm on thehandset.

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Vonage VDV21-VD - Router - VoIP gateway - desktop Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)In fairness, I am a new Vonage customer, having signed up April 27, 2009.Within 48 hours after signing up, I received this new adapter (paid $9 and change for it - was a Vonage deal) and hooked it up to an ethernet switch.Hooked up a corded phone to the device, and had dial tone.I kept this hook-up for 3 weeks, making LOTS of phonecalls and sending faxes to be sure I was ready to say bye-bye to my Verizon landline ($42 a month and never touch the phone for an outgoing call because of the costs involved).I have a networked setup:Modem --> Wired Router --> Ethernet Switch --> Vonage adapter.(I also have a wireless access point connected to my wired router,just to be precise.)
There are 3 PCs hard-wired and 1 wireless laptop.My cable provider is Cablevision (Optimum Online) at 10Mbps down and 3Mbps up.

Service is great.You could not tell between Vonage or the landline.The only issue I had was with faxing via my Canon MP780 all-in-one (outgoing faxes would not complete), and that wound up being just a matter of shutting down and re-starting my Canon.If you have this issue, please do not make yourself crazy changing your fax baud rates or ECM to off until you shut down your fax, remove all cables, replace cables and restart your fax.When I changed my baud rate from 33000 to 9600 because of many, many threads on the net, my fax capability was completely crippled.Now, it works great.And I don't have a dedicated fax line, it's done through my regular voice VOIP line.

After the 3 weeks, we cancelled the landline, disconnected the incoming Telco lines from the house, and then plugged the Vonage adapter into our phone jacks which back-feeds the signal through all of the phone jacks.

I have spoken to customer service for matters relating to my office (which also uses Vonage on 3 lines) and customer service has always been helpful and polite and there pretty much without a wait. Nice to have them available 24 hours, 7 days a week, if you did need them (better have a cell phone too though -- duh!)

I also have the line split and going to my Dish Network ViP722 DVR, which enables the ViP722's on-screen caller id. (So it is compatible--could not confirm this prior to trying it myself.)

As for complaints from others about bad sound quality, please realize that the service will be as good as your internet connection.If you don't have a stable, strong connection -- do not bother with VOIP.And, DSL filters can interfere with the signal, so read up on that.And never, ever plug these adapters into telephone jacks that still have Telco lines connected to them outside -- you can short out your equipment.

I got the $9.95 a month for 3 months deal, and thereafter it will be $24.99 (approx. $32 with tax).I did not port my home telephone number because the Vonage site informed me it was not available, but I was able to search through loads of telephone numbers and pick one that was memorable.Yes, I am in it for 2 years or I will fax a $39.99 disconnect fee.But, as far as I concerned, Verizon violated me for years with its fees and nickel-and-diming for every feature and call.I have to say that I wanted to try Vonage when it first came out, but was hesitant.Since my office has had it for over 2 years now, I decided to just do it myself.

Besides the many features listed on the website, you have access to alpha features like Vonage Fax (free outgoing faxes through your PC) and Vonage Talk.

Also, others here have complained that your trial starts as soon as you order, even though you don't have your adapter yet -- but you immediately can make calls through your computer with a headset.They assign a temporary number if you are porting your own, and the service and online features are instantly accessible.

And, as for the disconnect fee of $39.95, it's still less than what your cell phone provider would charge, so what's the big deal?You can't have everything.

Oh, the adapter...forgot what I was reviewing!The adapter is great.You have an orange backlit screen that shows the date and whether you have missed calls. It has built in caller-id, and you can initiate a call-back right from the adapter itself (your home phone will ring to tell you it's calling the number back).It has some other features too, like calling weather and traffic for free, and you can call your voicemail too.

Highly recommended.If you want to try it, try to do so without porting your number (check if you can port it free after you're sure it works well for you.)Try it risk-free (but keep an eye on the calendar!).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Vonage VDV21-VD - Router - VoIP gateway - desktop

Product Description:
VoIP gateway and single port router combined in 1 deviceConnect up to 2 Vonagelines through your high speed cable or DSL internet connectionIncludes power adaptor 1 RJ45 cable quick start guide features and FAQ document and warranty card

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Panasonic BB-GTA150B Globarange Additional Handset for the BB-GT1540B & BB-GT1500B Telephone Systems (US) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Ok, so we're not ready to totally cut the cord yet and go fully VoIP. We still want the local POTS phone service in case of (knock on wood, hopefully not) an emergency where we need 911. VoIP does not give you real 911 in your city, you get connected to some call center in who knows where. No thanks.

We were paying AT&T $15/month for unlimited long distance, which was a good deal a few years ago, but now with the cell phones we don't use long distance at home much. Only a few hours, it shouldn't be more than $5/month.

The Globarange is one of the only devices available in the US that lets you use your regular home phone, has an answering machine, and lets you make long distance calls over the Internet with VoIP.

I did not sign up for a JoIP plan other than the pay as you go. It is very reasonable, it's like 1.5 cents/minute in the US for long distance (and free to call other JoIP users; I am trying to get my family to sign up). I have a family member moving overseas this summer and it is only a few cents a minute more for overseas calls to him. If he gets a JoIP phone there, it will be free :)

The phone is easy to set up. You plug it into your router and into your PSTN (regular phone jack). I have mine hooked up to an Apple Airport Extreme base station I am using in "WDS" mode because I don't have a phone and internet jack in the same room. Works fine, no problems.

Voice call quality is excellent over both the VoIP and PSTN modes. The VoIP mode (internet call) connects very quickly. I have a high speed internet connection from Comcast (15mbs down, 1.5-2 mbs up) and have not noticed any quality problems.

The phone itself is easy to use (we came from another Panasonic cordless, the interface is similar). The answering machine works. It is easy to choose either IP or PSTN based calling (orange button or green button).

I would highly recommend this phone system for people who want to benefit from the MUCH cheaper long distance and overseas rates possible with VoIP but do not want to give up their regular phone service for various reasons (911, etc).

I tried the Skype dual mode phones but they are awful. The sound quality is awful, the phones are very slow to respond, and they do not have an answering machine. Skype is a great deal at only $3 for unlimited long distance (ie what they used to call SkypeOut) but the standalone phones are NOT ready for prime time.

I have heard there are issues with Panasonic/JoIP customer service but I have never called them.

The only downside of this device is you are locked into the Panasonic/JoIP branded VOIP service. You cannot use it with any other SIP provider that may have better rates to where you are trying to call. Actually, however, if you are highly technically inclined, do a google search for "globarange and asterisk" and you can manage this issue. Not worth it to me, personally.

Right now in the US there are no alternatives to this device. Overseas, Phillips sells a very well regarded phone line called Gigaset IP that has a dual mode IP + PSTN phone including answering machine that you can use with any VoIP provider you want. But it's very expensive and not available in the US right now.

The Panasonic can be had for $60-70 and the extension handsets are only $30.

I am very happy with this purchase and cannot recommend it highly enough! Get one!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic BB-GTA150B Globarange Additional Handset for the BB-GT1540B and BB-GT1500B Telephone Systems (US)

Product Description:
The Panasonic KX-GTA150B is an additional handset for use with the following US verisons of the Globarange 5.8 GHZ cordlessphones: KX-GT1540B and KX-GT1500B.

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Philips VOIP841 PC-Free DECT 6.0 Wireless IP Phone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this phone a little over two months ago.Overall I'm quite happy with it, though I do wish I had waited until the price dropped and saved some $$!I've read many of the reviews and agree with many of the good ones, and can empathize with many of the not-so-good ones.

First of all, I think everyone assumes someone looking to purchase this phone already knows about Skype, which I'm sure is usually true, BUT if you're unfamiliar with Skype, be sure you visit www.skype.com first to find out exactly what it is, and what it is going to cost you (if anything) to join and use the system.Different plans are offered such as talking to only other people on Skype. . . . Making calls to people on "regular" phones (fee based, but really cheap). . . . and if you want to have your own phone number so that anyone can call you (fees involved).After reading a lot of reviews, I didn't see where anyone mentioned about what Skype actually is, so I wanted to get that out of the way.This phone works with Skype, but you still have to sign-up and select what plan you would like, and that's where there could be fees.Also, you must have high-speed internet access to use this phone. . . BUT you can use the phone without your computer being turned on, which is one of the main reasons for purchasing this phone. Now for the review. .. .

When I first got this phone, I had both a land line and Skype.I have since dropped the land line because I'm more than happy with the Skype service, especially due to how much $$ it's saving me (a ton, by the way).As Skype will tell you, they recommend you keep a land line, because Skype does not work with 911.I have a cell phone which works with 911,so I'm less worried about that and I live in a condo with lots of people around me.If 911 service is of a concern, then you might want to keep the land line.When you place a call the phone will ask you if you want it to go through the land line or Skype.FYI, someone wrote that they were still asked that even though they didn't have a land line, but I was able to change the settings and now the phone always uses Skype.

I agree with someone else who said that they thought that Skype was not as good as a land line, but better than a cell phone.Sometimes the quality is better than others with Skype, but again, I can live with that because of the cost savings.

I have Skype on my computer as well, and it's great that the phone will update when you add new contacts to your computer and vice-versa.You can load all of the phone numbers from Outlook into Skype, and then it will load onto your phone.Really great feature.

As for the phone itself. . . well. . . yes, it is sleek, modern, etc. . . but I agree with someone else who said that it's kind of a pain because it's not like a "regular" phone receiver where you can hold it against your shoulder and ear.Yes, you can use a headset, and yes there is a speakerphone which I find works quite well.But if you're not using either of those, it can be a bit of a pain holding the phone all the time.FYI, there is no volume control, and I really hate that.If you're the slightest bit hard-of-hearing, I would not recommend this phone.Though it's not difficult to use, it is more like using a cell phone.If you have Skype voice mail (fee-based feature) there is an icon on the phone to let you know that you have a message so that you can listen to it.The phone keeps a detailed log of all of the calls which came in, and also that you made.Someone mentioned that the phone does not have the best ring tone options, which I would agree with, but surely you can find one that you'll be satisfied with.Oh. . . I don't know if this is still the case, but my phone came only with a disc with the instructions.There wasn't a printed manual.I found one at the Philips website though.I HIGHLY recommend that you go to the Philips website and take a look at the owners manual before you purchase, just so you know all of the details and what features this phone offers, which are quite a few.Once you get to the Philips website, just do a search for VOIP8411B/37.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Philips VOIP841 PC-Free DECT 6.0 Wireless IP Phone

Product Description:
The Philips VOIP841 Wireless IP Phone offers:

The ability to make Skype calls without a computer.
It can be used as a landline telephone and an Internet phone.
A full-color display for clear and easy navigation.
Memory for up to 500 phonebook entries.

The Philips VOIP841 is the first completely independent DECT cordless phone that lets you make Skype calls without a PC. And with the added flexibility of letting you connect your land line, this phone can take care of all your calling needs.



Use the VOIP841 to make free Skype calls to anywhere in the world without a computer. View larger. Quick Installation and Convenience
The Philips VOIP841 is a self-contained unit that requires no installation of software or connection to a computer; simply plug the base into any power outlet in your house, connect it to your broadband connection, and you can start making free Skype telephone calls right away. (To make Skype calls, you must open a Skype account. A Skype account is not included with this phone.)
And by simply plugging your home telephone line into the VOIP841, this phone can double as your everyday landline, giving you the ultimate in convenience.
Easy to Use
If you've used a cell phone or cordless phone, you'll quickly be able to take advantage of all the features the VOIP841 offers. For easy readability, the phone features a 128x128 full-color display, and a 4-way directional pad provides you with easy navigation through the intuitive interface. The handset has enough memory for up to 500 Skype phonebook entries, giving you quick access to your contact list.
You can choose from up to 15 ring tones (5 standard, 10 polyphonic), and the phone allows you to set your ring tone by call type, distinguishing between landline and Internet calls. A speakerphone mode allows for hands-free operation, so you can take notes during the call or share the call with others. There is also a jack connector on the handset for connecting a headset.
DECT Frequency for Security and Extended Battery Life
By using the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) frequency at 1.8GHz, the VOIP841 offers you enhanced security features and a longer battery life than other frequencies. On battery power, the VOIP841 offers talk time of up to 12 hours and a standby time of up to 120 hours.
Each base station can accommodate up to four handsets, and up to four base stations can be used together for a total of 16 handsets. For office or home use, the intercom mode allows you to use one handset to call another handset located in a different room.

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