A representative of IPMind came across my VoIP blog entry "Skype Keynote", saw that I "wished" for "a phone product with Skype technology embedded that DOES NOT REQUIRE a PC to be on to work!" and he posted a comment stating that his company has a prototype of a standalone Skype hardware phone.
Details are a bit sketchy at this point, but here is what I know. They have 2 early prototypes enclosed in a telephone shell that can dial to/receive calls from Skype users. For dialing you simply scroll to the desired buddy in the buddy list on the LCD screen (4*20) and you are connected to the buddy. You can also receive incoming calls and the phone will ring when a Skype user calls you.
In addition, they are currently working on finalizing the current design and also working on an ATA (analog telephony adaptor) type device that will connect to a regular analog phone. Wow. Just imagine. You can use your home cordless phone, connect it to their ATA, and then make free Skype calls to other Skype users or make inexpensive SkypeOut calls to PSTN phone numbers.
What I would like to see is an ATA that supports BOTH Skype and a broadband VoIP service provider, such as Vonage, AT&T CallVantage, Lingo, etc. Then using some LCR (least cost routing) algorithm you can optimize your outbound calls for the least expensive termination provider depending on where you are dialing. In addition to that, you can make/receive PSTN phone calls via a broadband VoIP service provider as well as make/receive Skype calls. Now that would be really cool!
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So is this Skype phone available yet?
I have been collecting links to Skype phones, Skype add-ons and Skype communities at http://www.summitcircle.com/ I have links to dozens of companies selling "Skype phones".
I have not seen anything from IPMind yet. However, the recent anouncement regarding i-mate and Skype was the first solid press release indicating that Skype embedded directly into the phone (no PC required) is on it's way:
http://www.skype.com/company/news/2005/imate.html
Louis Philip
i love internet phone call
please add me in yout groups skype
thanks
hanjiang
if skype does not make their protocol open, it is difficult to have a phone product with Skype technology embedded that DOES NOT REQUIRE a PC to be on to work! the easist way to implement that is customize a lite OS, then run skype on it. but the cost is too expensive. the other way is do a compatible protocol with skype, i know somebody is doing this, but it needs a lot of work. I found a website, it collects the most skype phones and adaptors, skype flash phone, http://www.echostore.com/skypephones.html
Skype is taking off slowly in the U.K. now. The problem is that there are a lot of other VoIP providers with really low call charges. People only seem to have heard of Skype. http://www.i-voip.co.uk This shop where i got my cordless dualphone has loads of help and advice as well as selling Skype phones. Keep up the good work
I wouldnt trust i-voip.co.uk.
I put my payment through with them and I'm still waiting for my DUALPHONE from them. Much better to trustget a skype phone from pakataka.co.uk.
That's who I've just bought mine through
I have just bought a Yamamoto LCD phone which is very lightweight and looks pretty good too. Delivery was within 2 days from www.voip24.co.uk
LOL so "Paul" you strike again, trying in vein to bad mouth my company because you’re simply nothing but a petty, bitter competitor who clearly is sturggleing to sell any VoIP phones…. Pathetic
If you want to find a real skype standalone phone.
You may surf on my blog.
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http://skype-standalone.blogspot.com/
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looking for a skype phone?
try http://www.i-voip.co.uk
In 2006 CES, I saw several companies exhibited a prototype Skype WiFi phone which does not require a computer to make Skype call. This combine with a MobileBridge 3G WiFi router, means you can make skype calls from anywhere with cellular coverage without the need of a PC. With this you can now talk on the Skype WiFi phone over the MobileBridge in your car while driving on a highway.