Netgear SPH101 Skype WiFi Phone unboxing and hands-on!

They first announced this way back in the misty days of January, but Netgear is finally shipping their new SPH101 Skype WiFi Phone. We were lucky enough to get our hands on one this very morning, and so far we like what we see. Connecting to a WiFi network (even a protected one) is a snap, and making calls is as easy as it is on a cellphone. Click on for some gadget porn!

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 18th 2006 9:27PM]

I wish they'd integrate the Skype phone with current carrier phones on the market.

I don't feel like carrying around two phones... one's enough.

[artr Posted Sep 18th 2006 9:40PM]

there are alot of peole that use skype as their main form of communication... it's great with skypeout and skype in.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 18th 2006 11:07PM]

I dont get why there is a picture of the Palm Sprint device...

[Trancesetter Posted Sep 19th 2006 1:17AM]

Anybody's got an idea if it works thru WEP-enabled access points? And if the SSID is not being broadcasted for safety reasons? I'm asking 'cause I just bought an AE Internet Radio which is UNABLE to get connected to MOST of access points around me because of above reasons... At the moment I'm using the DU@Lphone for Skype calls which requires my notebook to be contstantly on and I would love to jump over to a PC-less Skype mobile like this one!

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 19th 2006 8:27AM]

well looking at the specs there is a screen where it gives the option for skype out.......but how much is it a month to skype out?>

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 19th 2006 2:38PM]

with regards to SkypeOut, you only pay for your calls, the details for each contry and tariff are on the Skype website.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 19th 2006 10:59AM]

I'd be well up for one o' thems, but not for $250 - even _with_ the savings I'd make over a regular phone.

Drop it to around $100, then we're talking.

[Mikofox Posted Sep 19th 2006 12:38PM]

I'd like to see a comparison between the Netgear, SMC, and Belkin phone for Skype. They all look very similar, but better price on the last two.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2006 6:53PM]

I know Belkin is making one too.
It is like $100 cheaper. Still, I don't know if SkpeIn is supported. Can somebody confirm this. ?
thanks

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2006 12:21AM]

For roaming around the house while talking on Skype, a wireless headset with mic is really convenient. Currently, I'm using the Plantronics CS50-USB Wireless Headset for VoIP Softphones, and it works great throughout my house.

On the other hand, it is a pain to leave on a computer with the speaker volume turned up just to receive phone calls. When a call comes in, I have to run to the computer, turn on the monitor, plug in the headset, and click on the talk button in Skype. It would be much more convenient to have this Netgear WiFi phone in a central location, so that I could answer calls quickly and easily. It would be even better if I could have one WiFi phone upstairs and one downstairs, but I think it might cause problems if I'm logged into the same Skype account from two devices simultaneously. Has anyone tried this?

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 28th 2006 7:40AM]

Hey guys... Seems to be a decent phone... Obviously this is the first of its kind (together with the ones from the "Accton-family": SMC Networks, Edgecore, Belkin). So for now it has all the features of a real Skype Client on your PC + the advantage that it can be used without a PC in all WLANs (also WEP, WPA/WPA2). I'm sure they will also add a kind of browser functionality to a later FW for Hotspot accessibility.
I think the Netgear device is nice, but I like the Accton design better (www.wifiphone24.com)...

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 1st 2006 10:03AM]

Got the phone last Thursday. Works as described but still fees like a beta version. Had to restart it twice already to reconnect to a lost connection. And the design/engineering quality reminds me of the late 90's. It doesn't even come close to how an iPod is engineered. But as said, it does the job.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 9th 2006 5:38PM]

This phone has so many uses...Skype can call any regular or cell phone for just pennies, no PC needed. I am going on a cruise and I'll use this on their wifi instead of the $10 per minute phone charge. Natcherally if you have a lot of Skype friends this would be free and still very cool. the cellular/wi-fi dual use phones in development will be the ticket though...they better be Skype friendly...the only reason I have a land line is for emergency situations...ie power outages.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 25th 2006 12:42PM]

I have this phone, and I too have experienced 1 hours talk time. The whole point of skype is to talk to your friends for hours and hours for free or at least next to nothing. I feel this phone cannot do this.