Make Skype calls using your regular phone

Sometimes when Skype rings we scramble to find the headset in time to answer the call. This wouldn't happen with Actiontec's Internet Phone Wizard. It connects a regular phone to a computer for making, and receiving calls using Skype. The box channels the sound through the phone instead of the computer speakers and mic. There's also some echo-cancellation technology that enhances the quality of the call.

[Via eHomeUpgrade]

[Aero @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

Yeah, I've seen things like this before... IIRC, they were priced obscenely (like $50.. come on). Interesting that the site says it's not released yet, and won't even tell you what the price is going to be. Marketing slimebags.

[Aero @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

Sorry for the double-post, but here's a related story from CNET:
http://www.cnet.com/4520-10602_1-5619244-1.html
It's $70. WTF? Might as well just buy a USB phone.

[Aero @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

Sigh. SORRY to TRIPLE-post, but I just remembered the address of the other one I saw:
http://www.phoneconnector.com/
$40. Still a bit unreasonable for a silly USB dongle IMHO, but I guess it's looking more reasonable compared to this. Or maybe I'm just a cheap-ass. Then again, the point of VOIP is to save money, is it not?

[Benny @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

Rape me. **sings nirvana song**

[Aero @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

:(
Monkey was just trying to be helpful.
Have banana? Ook..

[Rockefella @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

Aero, thanks for the posts, they're helpful. Not all of us dislike monkeys. Have a banana on me.

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

Why are there no wifi/ethernet boxes running Skype to connect directly to your router? I don't want/need to run my computer 24 hours or run Windows to make/receive phone calls. At this rate, these things are more novelty devices than practical.

[Oliver @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

Mike, Skype isn't just for Windows.

http://www.skype.com

[catflap @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

according to the actiontec site, this boy works only with win2k or winxp. plus, it doesn't seem to work with digital (DECT) phones or cable telephone connections.

i'll pass.

[catflap @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

according to the actiontec site, this boy works only with win2k or winxp. plus, it doesn't seem to work with digital (DECT) phones or cable telephone connections.

i'll pass.

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

Why are there no wifi/ethernet boxes running Skype to connect directly to your router? I don't want/need to run my computer 24 hours or run Windows to make/receive phone calls. At this rate, these things are more novelty devices than practical.

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

Oliver, I wasn't talking about Skype, I was talking about the Actiontec and other computer/phone interface products. Although they claim to have Skype software embedded in the device, they 1. rely on a computer, not a router and 2. require the computer be running windows.

I'm already using Skype and like it very much, but would prefer not having to sit behind my computer during calls.

[Adrian in Dallas @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

RE: Post #1: What do you mean they're not available yet? I got mine just the other day and it cost me a "mere" $36. Truthfully, I haven't had the time to install it yet (I'm up against a deadline for a newspaper I design), but will report back when I do. I have used SKYPE since around July of 2004 (I was about the 10,000th person to download the program) and not only do I love it, it's saved my friends and me thousands of dollars! This new "toy" will just make using SKYPE all that much easier.

[Andrew Barnes @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

I bought the Internet Phone Wizard last year from an Australian distributor (www.ozvoip.com) and have used it since. I purchased it particularly for use with a Polycom SoundStation Premier (analogue speakerphone) and it works beautifully. The price of the IPW was covered in probably 6 or 7 international conference calls using Skype rather than calling to the US and India from Sydney. I love it.

[Sean @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

There's another better product I found from Skype forum. http://www.rapidvoip.com/products.html
It beats out all the competition hands down IMHO.

[Cam? @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

There is a Skype phone that connects to USB on your computer, which can be bought from their web site at 54.00 Euro/$ 70.00. It will connect straight to your Skype account when you activate it. Sound quality is said to be very good. I my self am running Skype from an Mac. Unfortunatelly it is only a Beta version yet, but it works more or less fine. As recomended, my Mac's is never turned off. The only drawback is, using skype, that sleepmode wont always wake receiving a call. Will by the phone and see if that solver the problem.

[Cam? @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

Ah, bugger. My dogs spells better than I do. And I don't even have a dog.

[Tally @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

mike,
I am there with you. I have only laptops and a wireless router at home. I would like very much to connect the phone base to the router (or even better to work wireless), than to connect to one of the computers. when will someone come up with a useful thing - for Skype?

[Steve Savery @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

I use a Bluetooth headset with Skype when I'm going be speaking for a long time - this way I can go sit somewhere comfy to speak.

[skype user @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

Bought one from amazon for $40 with skype driver
and it works as advertised.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/electronics/B0007QOK9Y/002-1885892-9200843

[Rosa K @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

I went to the actiontec website and it was listed for 79.99. Go the website below and get the same functionality for about 50 dollars. I'm holding out for the prices to drop, they sell usb phones for about that price...so the extender should be about 25 dollars if the market is properly assessed.

[PO Sundelin @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

Please advise me....
I want to use a cordless phone to make and receive both regular calls and internet /Skype) calls. I don�t mind leaving the computer on 24/7.

Does Actiontec work?
Does Siemens M34 plus S440?
Olympia Dualphone?
Others?

Are they the same in principle? In quality? In price approximately?

[Adam @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

I use IPFones www.ipfones.com
Quality is superb and I prefer this way than go to my landline. This way I have 2 phones, so when happens that my wife uses landline talking to friend I can call any time I want to someone overseas or family etc. Besides, quality is really great and I`m very impressed since I bought this phone a week ago. I cannot stop calling somewhere. Please see review at below link:

http://share.skype.com/directory/ipfones_ip-700m_usb_world_phone/view/

[Jim Hakim @ Dec 19th 2005 2:47AM]

Hi, After many hours your website pages do not show any way to contact you except finally this page.

THE TELEPHONE SERVICE
Your rates are easy to find, but why does this have to be difficult to find out about "how" to set up my "overseas international only" phone service to Skype -- and if there is any kind of monthly fee for a service as this?
Jim