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Linksys Debuts Cordless Skype Handset
An anonymous reader writes "A new cordless Skype-based VoIP handset will hit Internet and retail stores next week. According to Linksys, the CIT200 handset will allow users to make VoIP phone calls as easily as today's cordless handsets make conventional land line calls. The device uses DECT wireless protocol, claimed to eliminate interference with 2.4GHz phones or devices. It comes with a DECT dongle that plugs into a PC's USB port. It's expected sell for around $130. Initially, Linksys is requiring that the PC run Windows XP or 2000, so no Linux yet."
Why should I go to a service that 1) requires me to own a computer, 3) requires me to have a broadband conection, 3) is dependent on my electricity not going out, and 3) requires me to purchase an expensive phone when I could simply get Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS - with better sound quality and no dropouts) for a mere $8 monthly (yes, that's really what I pay)?
At the price VOIP costs, I might as well just get a cell phone, and not be tethered to only being able to use it in my home.
I hate them for trying to do all the things that other things already do better.
I hate Windows Media Center.
I hate things that require my computer be on to work.
I want a cordless VoIP handset that doesn't need a computer. Ideally, I'd like to have a wireless VoIP handset that doesn't need a localized base station (something along the lines of cellular, but with free long distance).
I don't want to sit in front of my computer when I use the phone. I don't want to sit in front of my computer when I want to watch TV. I don't want my computer to be on.
The computer is a great tool for what it does, but the dominant paradigm seems to be to build more functionality into this heavy hunk of metal rather than build up the functionality of smaller, better-suited devices.
Jesus saved me from my past. He can save you as well.
Everyone in my family has a PC with broadband. Now I just need to get everyone one of these phones and setup a free skype to spype account. Then, everyone can just pick up the phone and make direct calls as though they were using the local teleco system.
I've been waiting for something like this to come out. Now I have. If Linksys makes this easy to use, I expect this to really sting the vonage and lingo customer base in the next few years.
Life is not for the lazy.
At first glance, and being a product from linksys I assumed this had the Skype technology built in and you just plug it into your network. That would just make sense. It looks like you need to run Skype on the PC though.
Why not make this just a wireless microphone/speaker for your PC with the ability to launch apllications and press keys. Then you could use it as a phone for ANY other voice application...teamspeak, MSN, Goodle talk, Skype, etc.
When I first read the headline I got excited...but then it turned out to be a huge letdown. We VOIP users have been waiting for a good mainstream SIP based Wifi handset for a long time now and having one from Linksys would have been great. But this is nothing of the sort. Just yet another "dongle" for your PC for making PC to PC calls. You are still tethered to your PC (just through a wireless tether) meaning it has the cool factor but is not practical for most real-world users to replace their traditional cordless phone. Come up with a SIP standard device that uses my existing Wi-fi access point and can support multiple access point profiles and then you will have something.
Why was this modded as offtopic? Hopefully someone will catch this during meta-moderation.
For those who don't know, you can download a PocketPC version of Skype and put it on a Wifi enabled PDA with PocketPC so you can use skype wirelessly with no computer having to be turned on just your PocketPC..
Also since there is a linux client, you can also run this on a PDA that runs linux...
I would rather invest my money in having a WiFi Enabled PocketPC PDA/Cellphone which runs skype so I can make free calls from home to other skype users, as well as use my cell phone functions for local calls from Non Skype Users..
This is the BEST way to use skype In My Opinion.
-=Linsys=-
http://www.intrusionsec.com
"Initially, Linksys is requiring that the PC run Windows XP or 2000, so no Linux yet." What about support for the second biggest platform, Mac OS X?
Skype relies on security through obscurity. It doesn't matter what kind of encryption they are using; it could be as weak as ASI for all anyone knows. They won't let anybody read the source code in order to prove how secure the system is. So we must assume, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that Skype -- and anyone they choose, even h4x0rz who get lucky -- have the ability to listen to any calls you make through their network.
If you would not shout it out loud in a bus station, don't say it over Skype.
Je fume. Tu fumes. Nous fûmes!