Linksys releases WIP300 and WIP330 802.11g VoIP handsets
By Evan Blass 
posted May 17th 2006 3:45PM
posted May 17th 2006 3:45PM
Linksys has finally released those 802.11g-capable VoIP phones that we've had our eye on for awhile, although they are going for significantly more than we expected, with the Nokia-esque WIP300 priced at $220 and the high-end WIP330 (pictured) sporting a rather steep $370 tag. As you may remember, both models let you do the Internet calling thing from 802.11b/g-enabled routers and support SIP v2 standards, while the pricier unit adds hotspot support and the ability to browse the web on its 2.2-inch color display. If you're on the fence about throwing down several hundred bucks for a handset when other solutions let you use existing cordless phones on the cheap, the fact that domestic SkypeOut calls are completely free for the rest of the year may help you justify the cost to yourself.
We were early adopters of the WIP330, and we are very dissapointed. The sound quality (listening to the WIP330) is very weak and "tiny".
We have had much better results with the older Zyxel 2000W units
I've had the 330 for about 4-6 weeks... it's ok, solid build quality, but it is too expensive. have some of our engineers playing with it now.
How does this work with Skype, exactly? You ain't gonna have Skype running on your wireless router ... wouldn't this need to interface with the software running on a PC?
What makes you think this phone works with Skype? This is a SIP based phone. Anyway, it's brilliant in concept just not practical in cost quit yet.
I've had it for quite some time as well. Sound quality doesn't match the Hitachi HCW-5000 however it's still good and the radio's performance is MUCH better in lower signal areas. Huge benefit to the WIP-330 is the built-in browser allowing one to use public hotspots that require one to click to accept Ts&Cs and/or log in. I've used one on T-Mobile's hotspot network to great effect.
Wow! Amazing price, isn't it? I don't think users will trust such a compay to put not logial or reasonable price. They should know it is a shame to play. Or is this typical American capitalism. If so, the economic empire will collapse in the near future.
with a price like that, they should have slapped a "Cisco Systems" badge on the front.
What's the deal with the allegedly free domestic calls on Skype? I got the app and tried to make a call, only to be told that SkypeOut was not activated. So I clicked to activate and all it does is take me to a web page asking me to spend 10 euros to activate SkypeOut! I looked over the web page and could not find any way to activate SkypeOut without spending money. How is 10 euros equal to "free"?
When you say the Hitachi HCW-5000 I assume you mean the Wireless IP-5000. We use several of them and they are the best phone on the market, EXCEPT:
1. No WPA support
2. Very short wireless range (hate that)
If the range were better there'd be nothing like them. But...getting back to Linksys, except for the fancy display, I'd say the UTStartcomm F1000G is a better phone. It's range is even better than this phone. WinCE is useless when you can't get at it (the usb port is for power only, you can upload things to it). Way overpriced
Now why cant there be a gsm/wifi with webcam so that you can do a skype video call from the unit.. is this so hard?
so can someone please tell me whether this phone works with skype?
It's only a matter of time before we have MUCH cheaper VoIP phones.