Skype fans are quietly increasing their numbers. Everybody is fascinated with its free PC-to-PC talk, and immediately starts to download the Skype software. But the user soon realizes that things are not that rosy.

You think your loved one in faraway location sits in front of computer all day long and awaits your call patiently?

Popular Logitec LAN-WSPH01WH Skype Phone. No PC is needed to make/receive a Skype call.

To make a successful Skype call, you have to ring her mobile phone beforehand. And tell her you'are going to call again with Skype. Yes, that's outright silly.

Actually, the most useful part of Skype phone system could be, my personal opinion, the "SkypeOut". I mean, PC-to-Phone service. With extra prepaid credit, of course.

In this respect, SkypeOut is not the most economical IP-phone service in the world. Not especially since it introduced expensive connection fee system, imposed on every SkypeOut call you make.

All right, forget the loved one, and think about your side. You, too, can't stay in front of a computer for 24 hours to be ready for receiving incoming Skype call.

In that case, there is a good way to choose. Skype "Call Forwarding". When you are away from your computer, incoming Skype calls are automatically forwarded to your mobile phone or to that old black phone. You need extra prepaid credit for that again, of course. And connection fee, too, again!

Another way. Quite a few Wi-Fi Skype terminals are on shop shelves already, generally sold at around US$150. The most popular one, Logitec LAN-WSPH01WH Skype Phone (made in Taiwan, and OEMed to Belkin et al, too), works fine on any Wi-Fi networks... except some wireless networks which are open (no WEP/WPA) but utilize the SSL ID/password authentication on the Web site. Because Wi-Fi Skype terminal has no embedded Web browser in it.

Some networks have no wireless access point even in this wireless LAN age. In this kind of environment you have to set up your own router/access point, connected with Ethernet cable.

Matsushita-Panasonic KX-WP800 set. Router, left and Wi-Fi handset, right. You care about matching color and design?

Matsushita-Panasonic sells a combination set of 802.11b/g router and 802.11b Skype handset, KX-WP800. Connect the router to LAN, and the handset works like a cordless phone. Outdoors, when released from the tether, it works exactly the same as the wireless Logitec Skype Phone. Connects fine to grassroot FON networks, too.

This can be done with a Logitec Skype terminal and a cheap portable router/access point. Would be cheaper, too. KX-WP800 set costs 29,800 yen (US$292).

So what's the merit of KX-WP800 over other Wi-Fi phone terminals? You will get satisfaction because the handset and router have the same color and design. The two match each other, perfectly. Well, if that could be called a merit?

 

cheewee
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kaisei1
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