February 27th, 2005
As written previously on this site, the Olympia dualphone is a good-looking cordless phone that lets you make calls via Skype or via normal landlines, all from the same handset.
It seemed like ordering one was a bit difficult, but now there is a UK supplier i-fones which is currently selling them at £79.95 inc. VAT – which makes it pricier than the Firebox phone but you get a lot more for your money. Sadly it remains a Windows-only product.
If anyone’s actually got one I’d be interested to know how it performs.
February 18th, 2005
As written in a previous post, there’s a few solutions to using Skype for VoIP services that enable you to use a “real” phone. The latest attempt, and seemingly quite good, is the Firebox VoIP Cyberphone which can be yours for thirty pounds. Nice design, and looks good to use. The only disadvantages are that you still need a computer switched on for it to be plugged in to via USB – no plugging it straight into your router – and there’s no mac support which is very disappointing.
Firebox VoIP Cyberphone
Review of it by The Register
Review of it by Engadget
UPDATE 04/04/05: These phones are rebranded versions of the Cyberphone K and are also available from the UK retailer Maplins.
November 8th, 2004
Voice-over-IP (VOIP) is obviously all the rage but the range of different offerings can be a bit bewildering. I’ve been using Skype for cheap international computer-to-phone calls, and free computer-to-computer calls, for a while now and it’s a pretty impressive system – especially useful for those of us living in far-off countries. Engadget has an interview with the CEO Niklas Zennström which gives a useful overview of the service.
