USRobotics releases two Skype-certified handsets

USRobotics has just released two new Nokia-esque Skype-certified handsets for the Internet telephony lover on a budget, with the USR9601 USB Internet Phone retailing for just $50, and the USR9602 USB Internet Mini Phone (pictured) going for a mere $25. Both models feature a numeric keypad (duh) for speed dialing your Skype contacts or utilizing the SkypeOut feature if that's your thing, with the 9601 also sporting a back-lit LCD for call status and the all-important Skype caller ID. Also part of the package is some whiz-bang technology that promises to cancel out the echoing and tunnel effect that apparently plague lower-quality handsets; we're not quite sure what they're referring to, though, as every VoIP call we've ever made has been crystal clear and of the highest possible sound quality.

[Chris @ Aug 15th 2006 1:37PM]

Woot, First post. Just kidding I'm not going to just say that.

That thing looks like the ROKR. Why do all new phones look like the ROKR to me?:S

[Drew @ Aug 15th 2006 1:49PM]

Perhaps the bigger news here is that USRobotics still exists.

[MichaelLC @ Aug 15th 2006 2:06PM]

LOL @ Drew.

That's what I thought the second I read USR. Last dealing I had with thme was buying a 56X modem.

[CellphoneSavant @ Aug 15th 2006 4:19PM]

I love this phone. Thanks so much for the post. I look forward to your future work.

[Jimmy Jones @ Aug 15th 2006 5:26PM]

Is this a cordless phone? does it have a USB infrared sort of technology?

otw, no need to get a wired phone attached to a USB :D

[rednerd @ Aug 15th 2006 5:33PM]

Do sysops get a discount? ;) Man I feel old.

[Sebastian @ Aug 15th 2006 5:37PM]

Skype uses a very cool protocol for transports. However, why don't they use standards instead of commercial and proprietary "certifications"?

[Me @ Aug 15th 2006 11:34PM]

I can't wait for the NS-5 Model

http://www.impawards.com/2004/posters/i_robot.jpg

[Hausjell @ Aug 16th 2006 11:26AM]

Looks ok, might get one.

About the "we're not quite sure what they're referring to, though, as every VoIP call we've ever made has been crystal clear and of the highest possible sound quality", i have made many calls via VoIP to VoIP, VoIP to mobile etc etc and the quality varies alot depending on which type of phone i call, if its VoIP to VoIP then it sounds fine but when calling a landline or mobile phone the quality is a little tinny and echoes, maybe its the crap phone that i have, not sure but even when using the phones at work (which are made by Nortel Networks) the quality is still not amazing. :)

[John Williams @ Aug 4th 2007 3:44PM]

I bought a USR9602 USB Internet Mini Phone in the USA. It worked flawlessly for a month. I can't replace it in the third world country were I reside.