IPevo, well known company for its range of VoIP-enabled devices, is going to release a new Off-PC Skype Desktop phone - Solo 1. It features 2.4″ color touchscreen (?) and embedded version of Skype. Solo doesn’t need PC to make calls. Just up your broadband connection and phone will connect to your Skype account.
The release of Solo is planning this March or April. The price is tagged at $169.99.
[via Ubergizmo]
The iPhone Dual-Mode Internet Telephony Kit for Skype is not a product of Apple as you can think. It’s a new handset for VoIP from Cisco. It can be plugged directly into the ethernet jack. Just for $180 you may own a stylish phone which makes calls via Skype and traditional landline without PC.
Philips already announced its version Skype-phone which doesn’t need PC. I cannot compare functionality of iPhone and VoIP841 but Cisco phone definitely looks more attractive.
[via GigaOM]
I came across this Skype hack which turns your PC with webcam and Skype account into surveillance system. Sure if somebody asked about this functionality this means it’s useful. But IMHO it’d much better to use simple IP camera for this purpose. IP camera is more expensive than webcam but it doesn’t need PC to work. Usually, IP camera already includes web server with user interface. So, it needs just an Internet connection.
For example D-Link IP camera (just about $100) exists in two variants: wired and wireless. It allows to monitor your home/office without PC. You have to connect the camera to LAN and configure it via web interface. The camera has built-in web server with web interface and motion detector. It may record video and send notifications via email if some motion will be detected. And so on.
But anyway, if you like Skype you can use it to monitor your home.
Philips drops a cordless VoIP841 phone. As usual, the phone is accompanied by a remote DECT base station that plugs into both the broadband connection and the traditional phone line. So, it handles both Skype and ordinary calls in one phone. The VoIP841 has a color screen and stylish design. But, unlike many others Skype-phones, the VoIP841 doesn’t need a PC. It needs just an Internet connection. It’s possible becuase the phone uses Linux as its embedded OS.
The phone will be available this Autumn. The price is not listed yet.
[via Engadget and LinuxDevices]
USRobotics announced its new Skype Certified Cordless Phone designed for home and small office use. The set includes the USR9630 Cordless Phone for Skype and the USR9631 Accessory Handset. The USR9630 base station connects to both a traditional phone line and an available USB port (it supports both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0) on a PC running Skype Internet calling software, to make and receive Skype calls and ordinary telephone calls.
Basically, the Skype USRobotics phone doesn’t have anything which can distinguish it from the bunch of others Skype phones. It might more reasonable to buy Siemens Gigaset phone and Gigaset M34 USB, which is compatible with both Skype and Yahoo! Messenger and looks more attractive.
The phone will be available in September for $119.99 and the accessory handset will be available in October for $69.99. It’s a bit strange because the phone cannot work without handset.
[via eHomeUpgrade]