The DUALphone: Cordless landline phone that also makes Skype calls

VoIP handsets that plug into PCs are nothing new, but given all the buzz about Skype these days it's hard not to get a least a little bit excited about the DUALphone, a landline cordless phone that besides letting you make phone calls over the regular network, also connects up to Skype for free VoIP phone calls. To make Skype calls you've gotta plug it into a USB port on your PC (and leave your PC on), but instead of dialing a number, the phone has a LCD display that shows which of your contacts are online. Just pick one of them, press a button, and you're connected. We're sold.

[Via TRFJ]

[Joel McLaughlin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

This is close. I would rather have it either be WiFi or ethernet based phone. Also, what would REALLY be cool is if you could create a conference call between the landline and Skype. In my case, they would both be VoIP.

[Devin Lussier @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

From their product page it doesn't look like it's able to make SkypeOut calls, which as many of us all know, are much cheaper than POTS calls. Hopefully this feature either just isn't listed on their site or will be added later.

Shame too, because I know a couple people who would love one if it supported SkypeOut. People who don't have POTS, but instead have a combination of cable, Skype(Out), and a cellphone.

[sam @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

if you read the FAQ TOP10... it does mention that it can use SKYPE OUT, here: Can I call a Skype� user from an ordinary telephone line and thus save money?
No, but you can call via Skype� to another Skype� user and you can call national and international numbers using SkypeOut.

How do I use SkypeOut?
To call numbers by SkypeOut you must first make sure you have deposited a certain amount in your SkypeOut account. The actual call is made by dialling the number and then pressing the PC key on the handset.

[Nicole Simon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Over here in Germany there is a very popular product from AVM, called the Fritz!Box Fon Wlan which has: Router with Firewall, DSL-Modem, ISDN and Analog, WLan and - VOIP-Connection. Directly, without using your computer.
(Every DSL-Seller is giving away the fritzbox for a very low price - this is *the* xmas gift.)

In German you call this the "eierlegende Wollmilchsau" which just means "does everything even if this should not be possible".

I would be buying this cordless right away but it needs to be connected to the PC plus this one needs to be online.

I can't imaginge why they did not look into this big selling box and made their way to use it together with the Fritzbox - because then they would have the perfect combo for dect and skype.

So I am waiting for a new phone to come :o(

[Devin Lussier @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Aha! I just sort of skimmed the site briefly and didn't notice that. Thanks, Sam, for pointing that out!

[Bryce @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Since it's DECT it ain't coming to America.

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

I really don't see what is so hard about this. A simple ethernet box connected to a router (and, optionally, a phone line) that has Skype software embedded in it and an input connector for a phone. What's the big deal?

[Wg Cdr Prabhakar David @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Looking forward to loads of information on Skype related products

[Ran Tenenbaum @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Sphereline are selling the same product like the dual phone however the PC is not required.
check out thier website www.sphereline.com

[Ghazi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Sphereline is some dodgy hebe site selling HIV kits - don't waste your time visiting it.

[Andy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

I've just looked around the sites including skype so to clarify some of the misconceptions and answer questions

1. You don't need a PC to use it as an ordinary phone.

2. What's the difference between an ethernet phone and a USB phone apart from the fact you have more USB ports so it's more likely to be free? It's only 16kbps. I think USB can just about handle that. Ethernet or USB will hit the same PCI bus. How much does a USB hub cost compared to an Ethernet hub? For that matter how many older PCs even came with an Ethernet Port? this is a mass market product. If you've got an old PC lying around this can sit in the corner without a monitor or hook it up to a kvm. Less power than leaving your brand spanking new juice guzzler online all the time.

2. As per 1. you don't need a PC to make a normal phone call. There are 2 buttons. Press 1 of them for an internet call and the other for a traditional call.

3. America will be a big market for skype. Non DECT will be coming soon - guaranteed. This crowd aren't stupid.

OK so it's the first product out there and no doubt within the next year there'll be hundreds of new products with "wonderful new features" but someone has got to be the first. Compared to what we had available before this is a huge leap forward. Anyone remember the first mobile phone?

[Pete @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

does "dualphone" work with Skype in the united states?

[Pete @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

does "dualphone" work with Skype in the united states?

[Hiroshi Yasukawa @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

This should work in the US, too (per FCC it is not actually allowed). It worked in Japan where I live and the phone systems of Japan and US are very similar. Note that you need 120V AC => 9V 500mA AC adapter to power this, as the included AC adapter is 240V only.

[naveen @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

I want to sent sms to cordless less Phones

[Rikard @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

With the latest software upgrade, the dualphone works even better with SkypeOut (and SkypeIn for that matter) - the display will show SKYPE and SKYPEOUT - it is very easy to use

[Adam @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

In response to #11, the reason an ethernet phone would be more useful is so that you wouldnt have to leave your pc on to make skype calls, you could just plug it into your router.

[mtantawy7 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

I have a DSL and SKYpe 1.2.0.48 installed. Also, I have a voice modem (without speaker phone capability) connected to landline. Is there a S/W that can help me dial a local number through the modem & connect the call to a SKYpe friend on a remote PC?

[Maiken @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

I installed Version: 1.3.0.51. today, and now my Cordless DUAL phone can't operate. There is "No VoIP Programm On". So I installed skype back to old program from the Phone CD. And there I can't use Skype-In. I've been searching for a time now, for some support site for the phone. But nothing at all.. Olympia website, don't show this phone. So what now? Do anyone here know about a support site for this phone`?

[Jens Kofoed @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Please download the latest software from www.dualphone.net

[Jens Kofoed @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Please download the software from www.dualphone.net

[GreenAlien @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

I second the request for something similar but which connects to ethernet port instead of USB. Not everyone leaves their PC switched on 24/7, and a surprising number of people actually have an ethernet port available on their router. Just about everyone I know owns a router with free ethernet ports, so such a phone WOULD be mass market.

Something else that just crossed my mind is that the location of the router is likely to be by the main phone socket, which is an ideal place to put your dect base station! Especially if you only have the one phone socket and run all your phones over dect. So that's another practical reason to go with ethernet over usb. And contrary to belief, I reckon more people have more free ethernet ports than usb ports - I never seem to have enough.

One step further would be a Symbian-based mobile phone with builtin wifi and skype client. Now that would be perfect.

[Howard @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Dear Peter Rojas

Amperordirect (http://www.amperordirect.com) has started to carry this dualphone in US. Could we post a link to your article at here?

Best Regards
Howard Chang

[Albert Voorthuis @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Question: Will this phone generate DTMF required for menu selection on so many telephone numbers, when I use Skype to dial out? Does anyone know? Has anyone found a complete spec sheet on this phone?
I have just been bitten once by purchasing a useless USB Skype phone, so am a little hesitant to do this again.

[Linda @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Is anybody using DualPhone in the US and does it work well?

Has anybody tried Linksys CIT 2000 - it is also a cordless phone for Skype. How do they compare?

Is there an actual store in NYC where you can look at the phone before buying?

Do you have to connect DualPhone to a landline, even if you only want to make internet calls?

Can you browse your contact list on Skype - both Skyper users and regular phone numbers - from the handset, even if they are not online?

[Cardinael @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

My cordless Olympia phone works perfectly well when directly connected to an 2.0 USB input on my PC.But , trough a self powered hub (500 mA by input)impossible to join Skype on my PC.Hub is working well.No problems for orher peripherals with this hub. Who can help me.Thanks

[me123 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:06AM]

Come on people...the most sucessful products or businesses or services are the ones that are the "simplest to use" , "easiest to use" such as the traditional phone (product) and services like google search. It's soooooo easy to search at google that it's just "next" to perfect..that's why there's sucessful.

Traditional phone services are sucessful because it's extremely easy to use them. To make a phone call on the traditional phone is an easy "one" (1) step process, where you simply .pick up...dial.. & done. It's extremely easy.

Now we have skype? what is that? Just kidden.. I do know about it but I have "not" tried it because of one reason.. too much of a headache. You mean to tell me that my daughter, my mother/father, grandma have to be PC savy, and they must be "online" at the same time as me to make a phone conversation with them? Go gotta be kidden me. How many steps is that process? Did anyone thought about that? Forget the technolgy ,gadgets, features...instead it's about about the number of steps it takes, and how easy the process is. We should not be going backwards here by making it "more difficult to talk" to your friends/family. If anything using web-enabled voip phones shoud be "as easy" if not easier as traditional phones...not more difficult..


Think about this.. why would I buy a phone product that in order for me to use it, I have to:

Step1, download a software (need software to talk)

Step2, Make sure my daughter/son,wife, mother, uncle, aunt, grandma all downloaded this same a software (believe or not this is a "necessary step" since you simply cannot talk if th e person on the other end did not download skype )

Step3 Turn on your PC (Yes this is a required step..PCs must be on to talk)

Step4, unplug my traditioanal phone, plug in the voip phone in the , and make an internet connection (family also have to make a connection)..This step may not be required since it could be a one-time connection set up.

Step5, pick up the phone and dial

As you can see, the old easy one (1) step process is now at least 4 steps? People simply will not change their habits that easy. Not until something that is extremely very easy to use come out that is also simply one (1) step process, quick, and does not require a pc to be on 24/7.


The cordless Voip phone is a good leap forward but we have to find a way to talk without having to plug our PCs on the electrical power 24/4 7days (has anyone studied how much extra money we are paying by having the pc plug on 24/7 ?).

Question.. Can the ethernet option solve the pC on 24/7 problem?


This method of calling using VOIP via USB/PC on 24/7 will simply will "not" work unless we expect everyone to become PC savy, and we all know that just won't happen.

There's a reason why VOIP is taking this long to be adapted.... It's just a painful process just to make a simple call, although we may save some money.

Any Idea about my comnents?