The F-1000, Vonage's first WiFi handset

It feels like a million years ago that they gave us a sneak peek at the prototype for this, but they finally formally announced their new WiFi phone today. The F-1000, which'll let you make VoIP calls from any WiFi hotspot using your Vonage account, is made by UTStarcom and should be available sometime around spring or summer of this year. (We'll have a pic for this soon).

UPDATE: Found one! [Thanks, Jacob]

[demetrio @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

"they gave us a sneak peek at the prototype"...link?

[Glenn Fleishman @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Authentication to the hotspot is an issue. Vonage was doing trials with Boingo--not sure if that helps with authentication on the phone?

[DUKES @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Wait. Previous vonage link said there'll be a softphone version for the Treo 650. Any word on that?

dukes

[010111 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

i can see this basically being useful for your home wifi set-up or maybe your office. that is... only places you already know the password too. i can't see it being useful in most the public hotspots that you pay for... i mean they all *let you connect* to the network just fine and without a password. just when you first try to use a browser you need to load some lame page and enter a code... or credit card info. can't see this phone being very useful in situations like that.

[AdRock @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

This is great, but doesn't Vonage let you forward your calls for free to another number, like your cell phone?

Only benefit I see is saving wireless minutes, or giving you a signal in large office building's basement.

[TJ @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Is USB included?

[Jacob @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

It's not the now that's exciting. When WIMAX rolls out nationally, cell service will be useless. You can just use wifi voip.

[Cord @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Where are the Wi-Fi/GSM combo phones?? Apple come to the rescue stat....

[Marc @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Is it just me, or is this the ugliest phone in history?

[A. David Pratilas @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Design awards are not likely. How about some pricing, and are we looking at softphone style monthly?

[Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

How much is it going to cost? Five dollars? $50? $500? $5000?

[Cord @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Broadvoice has been shipping a WiFI phone for $150 plus $20 a month for unlimited calling for many months now.......

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Word was that the price will be around $50. Some additional pictures are posted here: http://www.sip.org/von/2004/boston/ .

[Peter Kote @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Is it possible to get unlimited long distance service using a dish or direct tv?

[kent @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Looks like a GTEK wifi phone which is made in malaysia by http://www.gtek.com.tw this phone also has two GMS sim sockets and is triband GSM

[kent @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Looks like a GTEK wifi phone which is made in malaysia by http://www.gtek.com.tw this phone also has two GMS sim sockets and is triband GSM

[Mirian Cain @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

WiFi VoIP phones are a useful alternative to cellular for millions of people in developing nations who cannot afford US$50 per month for a mobile phone contract. The low-cost WiFon 1000 (introduced at CeBIT 2005; www.wifon.com/homeproducts.php) allows the user to connect to public WLAN networks amd make VoIP calls anywhere in the world at the lowest possible rates. The phone is based on open standards and will work with any VoIP service provider.

[billo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

I have a perfect application for the WiFi phone at my summer cabin that has a public WiFi hotspot available for internet. I plan to take my ATA with me and connect through a laptop. The F-1000 would be handier, but that is only if Vonage doesn't decide to get agressive with somekind of rate plan. I tried the softphone, but we need the user friendliness of a telephone instrument. The F-1000 should overcome that problem.

[shawnmer @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

one on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5197964158