Forthcoming Netgear WiFi Skype phone caught on video

While watching Netgear's CEO play around with its "version 2.0" WiFi Skype phone certainly isn't as riveting as seeing the Nissan Dualist mech run around the streets of Ginza, the crew over at LiveDigitally was able to snag a few precious seconds of Patrick Lo's time in order to catch a glimpse of the aforementioned device. The overall design doesn't deviate too much from the existing rendition, and while Mr. Lo didn't get into the nitty-gritty per se, he did drop word that it'll be lighter, smaller, have a much improved GUI, last longer on a single charge, and "work seamlessly" with hotspots. Unfortunately, there wasn't even a hint as to when we'd see this thing hit the market, but click on through if you're interested in seeing the (very brief) interview.

[Biolovepulse89 @ May 26th 2007 1:31AM]

Good job, Mr CEO. We hope to see the final product. I can't wait to try my hands on it! Product developers and engineers, keep up the good work! Give us the best touch!

[steve sway @ May 26th 2007 2:15AM]

Am I the only one who wants to see a "wired" Skype phone for use in the home? I keep see these wi-fi mobile Skype phones but what many people (like my computer illiterate mother!) would find useful is a wired Skype phone that she can simply plug into the router and make calls with.

I think the market potential of such a product is being completely overlooked by all these companies. The first folks to get one out the door will make wads of $$ hand over fist.

A video enabled and standard version would be swell too =)

Come on!

[CL @ May 26th 2007 2:37AM]

@Steve,

There are a few computerless skype phones that's designed to be used as home/office phones like the Philips VOIP841 or Netgear SPH200D, as far as I know, the Netgear SPH200D works exactly like what you want, just plug it to the router and you are done or you can also plug it into a regular phone line and use it as a regular phone as well. From the users on skype's forum, they seem to like this phone very much.

[Mark @ May 26th 2007 4:17AM]

Or just use Gizmo Project and buy any cheap ATA ($40) which you can use with your existing phones.

[Real327 @ Jun 19th 2007 5:03PM]

I have a standard 2.4ghz home phone plugged into a usb converter. I have use it with skype flawlessly for almost a year now. They offer many usb phones from skype or darn near any where else.

[nswint @ May 26th 2007 9:36AM]

I can't watch the video because there is no flash plugin for 64 bit processors on linux :-(

Moving along. As long as this thing include a browser that can handle browser based authentication at hotspots then it will sell.

[CL @ May 26th 2007 9:47AM]

According to a skype headset supplier, skype themselves are the one that preventing the headset makers to include a browser into these things even though the hardware is able to support it. My guess is that they are doing this in order to secure deals they have with FON and may be other WIFI network operators in the future.