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

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(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.

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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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Netgear Dual Mode Cordless Phone with Skype(SPH200D) Review

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(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.

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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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T-Mobile Linksys RJ-11 Router - Wireless router - 4-port switch - 802.11b/g - VoIP phone adapter - desktop - T-Mobile Review

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(More customer reviews)T-Mobile sent this unit to me for use with their "AtHome" service.Setup is pretty straightforward, plug in your SIM card, notify T-Mobile so they can activate it (arrange for 911 location service), plug in your RJ-11 phone and you're in business.

You get a nice landline phone with a dial-tone, clear connection, rj-11 plug for any standard kind of phone, 911 service, etc.However, there are two BIG problems.

The first is that the RJ-11 interface is a very low power one.In other words, it will only power one phone at the most -and even that phone must use very little landline power or it will cause problems where you suddenly find yourself without service.Originally I tried connecting two phones to the unit with a splitter.The ring voltage on the Linksys is not enough to power two ringing phones.As a result, if a call comes in the phones will not ring properly and cause a power loss that messes up the router, dropping it's connection to the internet and disabling your phone service until you give it a restart.Even if you have only one phone, it better not have a loud ringer or a lighted keypad or you'll have similar problems.I ended up having to shell out an extra $300 for a ring & line voltage booster (from Viking).I now have 4 phones connected without issue.

The other problem is Wifi range.My original router was a Netgear which I was very happy with. In order to use the AtHome service I have to replace my old router & Wifi with this Linksys.The Netgear used to give me 4 full bars all over my house where with the Linksys, I can only get two bars if I'm anything over 20 feet away from it.I tried connecting a better antenna which only slightly helped. Wifi output power is simply too low (and unlike other Wifi devices, the Linksys doesn't offer configuration settings to increase or decrease transmit power).

Cisco/Linksys would have saved a lot of people a lot of aggravation if they only designed the thing with a little more power from the get go.

T-Mobile's At Home service is a decent value until you add in all the time, effort and additional equipment needed to make it work properly.They require a two year commitment and I have to say at this point I'm sorry I ever signed up for it.

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Product Description:
Use existing wired or cordless phone number / T-mobile voice mail / 3-way conference / Caller ID / Call waiting / Call forward / Call return Increased Clarity/Enhanced Security Handset Speakerphone LCD Display Backlit Keypad 50 Station Name/Number Caller ID Memory 50 Station Phone Directory/Dialer Conferencing Wireless Network Friendly Selectable Ringtones Adjustable Handset Volume Control Handset to Handset Intercom Handset to Handset Call Transfer Handset Locator/Paging Last Number Redial Mute 2.5mm Headset Jack Trilingual Menu Support (English / Spanish / French) Voicemail Key

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