wifi phone
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IPEVO's WiFi handset lets you Skype like it's 1999
Now, this might not seem as futuristic as a videophone, or your own USB powered Star Trek communicator, but if you're in the mood for some VOIP (feeling frisky, are we?) IPEVO's newest is definitely worth a second look. The S0-20 is a stand-alone Skype handset that boasts a 4 hour talk time, backlit keys, a 1.8-inch color LCD, support for both G711 and G729AB codes, and both WEP and WPA/WPA2-PSK encryption -- all in a package that would look at home next to a ten year old pre-pay cell phone. Available now for $129.[Via TMC]
Inkel IDS-1500 WiFi phone dock keeps the iPod in awkward company
You know how Apple products get when they're around their "lesser" consumer electronics counterparts at parties. It starts with a lack of eye contact and some foot scuffing, and ends badly with a scene in close proximity to the punch bowl. That said, Inkel's giving it a shot with this here IDS-1500 WiFi phone dock, which mixes an iPod dock with internet radio functionality and song playback through the phone. Not a bad combination in the least, so as long as the iPod steers clear of the alcohol. No word on price or availability.
Netgear intros SPH200W WiFi phone with Skype
If you can reach back into the archives of your brain, you may be able to recall an elusive Netgear WiFi Skype phone that was previewed in May. Unless our eyes are seriously deceiving us, that very handset has now been launched, and it's been titled the SPH200W. Sporting 802.11b/g compatibility, around four hours of talk time (or 48 hours in standby), WEP / WPA / WPA2 support, and most importantly, the ability to take and make Skype calls wherever there's an open WiFi signal, this device also allows you to manage up to 500 contacts and touts a built-in speakerphone. Unfortunately, there's no word on how much this unit will cost you just yet, but feel free to indulge in a few extra photos waiting after the jump.[Thanks, Dean]
Google Talk VoIP phone in development... again?
One can't help but wonder if the recent decisions regarding the FCC's 700MHz frequency auction aren't having an effect on Google's desire to bring a WiFi phone to market as quickly as possible. What better way to use the new "open" frequency than to put Google Talk on a device and get it into the hands of customers about to get "choices" for what they're using to ride the celestial-wavelengths? According to sources, a Taiwanese ODM called Wistron NeWeb has entered "design-in development" for phones with Google Talk compatibility. Of course, we've heard similar rumors before, but the company already makes Skype phones, so moving the technology to Google's implementation of VoIP would be easy as pie -- and who doesn't like pie?[Via SmallNetBuilder]
Linux-powered VoIP uber-phone does WiFi video conferencing
We're not sayin' we'd put one of these bad boys in our living room or anything, but adorning the board room table with a four-line VoIP phone that sports a built-in 3.5-inch LCD, webcam, and Zach Morris-style handset wouldn't be a half bad use of resources. The SysMaster Tornado M20 uber-phone does a lot more than hold down IP calls, as it also manages to handle video conferencing, IPTV, video- / audio-on-demand, internet radio, voicemail, email / chat / news, and local weather information. This conglomerate even touts a dual-core processor, 32MB of RAM, and 32MB of flash memory, and the integrated Ethernet jack, WiFi, RCA audio outs, and Linux-powered UI are all welcome additions. Of course, we've no idea if you can rig up Tetris on this thing and use the 4, 8, and 6 keys to control your pieces, but it'll only cost you $260 and a tick of your time to find out.
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.
SpectraLink unveils NetLink 8000 series of 802.11a/b/g WiFi phones
For those of you who think VoIP just isn't good enough, or you manage an enterprise with hundreds of folks needing to yap it up simultaneously sans wires, you might be interested in SpectraLink's latest duo, which collectively claim the title of "world's first" 802.11a WiFi phones. The VoFi (voice over WiFi) handsets are part of the NetLink 8000 series, and both units feature 802.11a/b/g, WPA2 support for enhanced security, four programmable softkeys, audible / vibrating ringers, backlit displays, text messaging support via Open Application Interface (OAI), military grade shock resistance, speakerphone, and a software configuration tool to boot. The NetLink 8030 ups the ante by including dust / water resistance, rubberized grips for "improved ergonomics and durability," enlarged earpiece for noisy environments, and SpectraLink's "unique PTT feature." Both handsets should begin shipping during the first quarter of this year, and while the NetLink 8020 will run $595, the PTT-enabled NetLink 8030 will demand a whopping $675.[Via NetworkWorld]
NexTouch ET 500 802.11n WiFi phone
NexTouch is showing off their new ET 500 WiFi phone at the VoIP/IPTV World trade show. Ok, it's more an idea they're touting since the best the could do was prop up some renderings and the Samsung 802.11n chipset at the guts of the handset. Why all the bandwidth? Easy, this phone is meant for streaming voice and video (H.323 please) to that 2-inch, 176x220 pixel LCD. They don't provide any ship dates or price, but we can expect this and more .11n handsets to roll sometime after July when the IEEE can hopefully agree on a standard.
D-Link's V-Click: an overpriced, rebadged GSM VoIP phone
D-Link's got a so-called new line-up of dual-mode WiFi VoIP / GSM V-Click phones for ya. The big selling point of course, is the ability to quickly toggle between your tri-band 900/1800/1900MHz GSM/GPRS network or unspecified 802.11 WiFi to make low cost VoIP calls. The magic here is in that "v-click" button along the side which flips the WiFi radio. Once enabled, users can make SIP-based VoIP calls or hit the web over the bundled Opera Mobile browser and 176x220 pixel display. Hmmm, those specs sure smack of that Taiwanese GW1 peeped at CES from Winstron NeWeb Corp and unfurled as the Neuf Twin dual-mode handset already on sale in France. Let's see, same screen, same dimensions, same radios... yup, we're calling it a rebadge. So are you really going to give D-Link $600 for their logo when it drops in Q1 or pick-up an unlocked, €200/$250 Twin sans contract from your friendly electronics importer? Yeah, thought so.
