First off, yeah, we're aware that the main point of being cordless is that you can take the phone with you around the house. That's one point in its "positive" column. Here are the negatives, in no particular order.

• Security. The president needs to make sure some bozo out on the lawn can't eavesdrop on his phone call with a baby monitor.
• Interference. "Hold on Putin, the kids are microwaving some popcorn."
• Sound quality. Being able to actually hear inflections in people's voices is kinda important when dealing with international crises.
• You have to charge it. Aides can probably do it for him, but it's a pain.
• It's easy to lose
• It requires power. If the White House ever completely loses power (including whatever generators they might have), he wouldn't be able to make any calls from his desk.
• Corded phones have more features. The most gadgety reason is that his current phone, which is probably by Cisco or Avaya or someone similar, has tons and tons of features. There's probably even an Optimus Prime voice changer on that thing. No way will a cordless phone be able to match that.

To be honest, I had to check my calendar when writing this post, since this whole topic of cordless vs. corded feels like I'm back in 1993. You kids and your beepers! And your V-Chips! And your closed captionings! [NYT]

Update: Someone who used to work for the DoD says that the phone might be an STU-III. Thanks tipster!

Update 2: Someone else says it's probably the STE, not the STU-III, since it's the current technology.

Move Freely: Logitech Unveils First Wireless Stereo Headset Designed for Internet Calling with a PC

Logitech ClearChat PC Wireless Headset Offers 2.4 GHz Wireless Technology, Simple Setup, High-Performance Stereo Audio

HANNOVER, Germany - CEBIT - Mar. 4, 2008 — Today at CeBIT, Logitech (SWX:
LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) unveiled the company's first wireless stereo headset
designed for Internet calling with a PC: the Logitech(R) ClearChat PC
Wireless™ headset. The ClearChat PC Wireless headset combines
high-performance stereo audio with 2.4 GHz wireless technology, allowing
people the freedom to move around when they make VoIP calls - no wires
attached.

"More and more people are making voice calls over the Internet, but until
now, they have had to choose between wired headsets that keep them tethered
to their PCs or wireless headsets that offer poor audio and voice quality,"
said Gina Clark, general manager and vice president of Logitech's Internet
Communications business unit. "With the Logitech ClearChat PC Wireless
headset, people can make a PC call while grabbing a snack, sitting on the
couch or leaning back in their chair - PC calling has never been so
convenient and never sounded so good."

The Logitech ClearChat PC Wireless enables people to move freely up to 33
feet (10 meters) from their computer. With the included USB transmitter,
the headset effortlessly connects to a PC or Mac computer right out of the
box - no software or pairing required. And to help ensure no call gets
interrupted, the ClearChat PC Wireless headset's 2.4 GHz wireless
technology features both crisp, uncompressed stereo audio and an advanced
algorithm that minimizes interference -even in the busiest wireless
environments, such as an airport, office or hotel.

The ClearChat PC Wireless delivers rich, high-quality stereo audio through
proprietary laser-tuned audio drivers. For optimal voice clarity, the
headset features a noise-canceling microphone on a flexible boom that
adjusts to the desired distance from the mouth. Additionally, volume and
microphone mute controls are located on the right earpiece and the
microphone automatically mutes when rotated to an upright position. As an
added convenience, the microphone emits a soft, red glow when muted.

Designed with comfort in mind, the ClearChat PC Wireless headset features a
padded headband and plush ear pads. The headset works with popular Internet
calling applications, including Skype(R), Windows Live™, Yahoo!(R), Google
Talk(R) and AIM(R).

In addition to Internet calling, the ClearChat PC Wireless headset provides
high-performance audio and a comfortable design that make it ideal for
listening to music, watching movies or playing games on the PC.

Pricing and Availability

The Logitech ClearChat PC Wireless headset is expected to be available in
the U.S. and Europe in May for a suggested retail price of $99.99 (U.S.).

Fact Sheet:

Logitech® Alto™ Cordless Notebook Stand
Take your notebook to new heights of comfort
Announcement Date: August 21, 2007 Shipping: September 2007
Price: $99.99 Available at: www.logitech.com
Product Description
The Logitech Alto Cordless notebook stand offers notebook users an all-in-one solution for notebook comfort. The stand includes a cordless comfort keyboard and a USB Hub. To make people more comfortable, the notebook stand raises the notebook display to the optimal viewing level and distance, while the cordless comfort keyboard provides full-size keys for increased productivity and reduced fatigue. Three hi-speed USB ports add instant connectivity for favorite peripherals — such as cordless mice and webcams. When not in use, the Alto Cordless snaps together to a compact size for easy storage.
Key Features
• Notebook display riser - Elevates the display for optimal viewing (better distance and height). With Alto Cordless Without Alto Cordless
• Cordless keyboard - The full-size, cordless keyboard features a full-size numeric pad and padded palm rest. Media and volume controls - and hot keys - provide quick access to frequently used controls and favorite applications.
• Multipurpose Hi-Speed USB hub - Three hi-speed USB 2.0 ports add connectivity for favorite peripherals.
• Clutter-free home - The Alto Cordless flips open for instant use on nearly any flat surface and snaps together for easy storage and transport. Built-in cable restraints help control cords and keep the workspace tidy.
System Requirements
Windows-based notebook PC Up to 15.4"
• •USB port
• Windows XP (all editions)
• Windows Vista™ (all editions)
• Note: Some USB devices with high power requirements may require an external power adapter (available for $19.99 at www.logitech.com).

5-year limited Warranty

See, the phone actually comes with a Wi-Fi "travel" router that you can plug in to any ethernet port and simplifies setup with the Skype phone. Nothing about this setup says that it's worth $400, seeing as you can buy a cheaper Wi-Fi Skype phone and a separate travel router for about a hundred less. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Panasonic via Digital Trends]

After using the $200 Philips DECT Baby Monitor for six months, he's discovered negligible interference, which completely justifies the semi-costly price tag. Better to spend the cash now than to discover baby's gone and smeared poopy all over the place. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Philips via Boing Boing]

Product Page [Amazon]

The WX works when you're in the bath, in the shower, in the pool, or even when you're dunking your head in the sink to train holding your breath, David Blaine style. But really, do you need to take your conversations into the shower with you? Are you that dirty or is the person you're talking to that important that you can't hold off for a few minutes while you do one or the other? – Jason Chen

Product Page [Uniden via Textually via Uber Phones]

It has a 100-name address book, 120 hours of standby and 10 hours of talk time. One of the problems with a standalone WiFi Skype phone is their poor battery life. If you don't have it charging when you're not using it, the battery will die at an inopportune time. The GE 2830 is $149 and should be available sometime soon. – Jason Chen

Thompson GE 28300EE2 Cordless DECT Skype Phone [VoIP-Sol]

One of these days there will be a wireless mouse that's the equal of its corded brethren, but Logitech has come the closest so far. Its notebook mice are plenty small, but we're thinking that the slightly reduced suitcase space required by one of these mice is not worth the sacrifice in comfort or efficiency. But that's just us. It'll retail in July for around $50, much less on the street. – Charlie White

Product Page [Logitech]

Although this electric mower—with its 14-inch cutting width and humming motor—is no 12,000RPM super mower, it looks like it will get the job done. The next step is to roboticize this machine (which has already been done with a cordless lawnmower but not very well) like a roomba, and then you won't have to cut the grass ever again. – Charlie White

Product Page [Neuton, via Consumer Electronics Net]

Exactly what Internet content you can bring into this unit depends on which carrier supplies the phone to you; it doesn't look like you'll be able to just pick up one of these phones on your own and access the Internet with it. On-screen information that you could be able to access (for a price, no doubt) would be news, e-mail, stock market data, weather forecasts, traffic reports and sports results.

We'd like it a lot better if you could just plug the thing into your router without any help from bloodsucking service providers.

LAN Cordless DUALphone offers the best of both worlds [ bergizmo]

Specs and pricing on Skype phones [Amazon]

This is another in a long line of CES Innovation Award winners that Gizmodo will be highlighting before the big show next week.

Vision Before Sound [Auvi]