Gizmodo: dect

Thomson Symbio Cordless VoIP DECT Phone Looks Deceiving

Jason Chen — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:00:53 EDT

When does a cordless phone not look like a cordless phone? When it looks like this Thomson Symbio DECT VoIP phone, which allows you to hang up the receiver like a "old time phone," but picks up and works like a cordless one. There's a small LCD screen in the body in order to view contacts and other VoIP network info, and the phone even has internet radio and RSS capabilities—as if you'd want to do either on a phone for an extended amount of time (maybe on the toilet). It's unclear whether this works with Skype, or how it's VoIP, but it sure does look nice. [Thomson via Nexux404]

Philips DECT Baby Monitor is Interference Free

Jason Chen — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 17:27:42 EST

We've covered many DECT-capable cordless phones and Skype phones here, whose main attraction is non-interference with the already crowded 2.4 GHz spectrum. David P. over at Boing Boing discovered that the benefits of DECT's (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) 1.9 GHz extends to baby monitors as well, when he found that all standard baby monitors use either the 900 MHz or the 2.4 GHz range for communications.

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]

Philips Internet Phones

www.gizmodo.com — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 23:36:36 EST

OK, when Linksys and Netgear make Internet phones, that's one thing. But when Philips gets into the business, things have gone mainstream. The company introduced a slew of new phones today that offer the choice of calling via the Internet or POTS lines. Most are cordless DECT models—which deliver clean reception by using the 1.9-GHz range instead of the 2.4-GHz band that's swamped with competing signals from Wi-Fi, microwave ovens, and old-fashioned cordless phones.

The flagship is the VOIP841 (above). It stores 500 address entries and provides polyphonic tones that let you choose a different sound for Skype or POTS calls. Philips says battery lasts for 12 hours of talk time. Available now for $199.

The VOIP443 toggles between landline and MSN Messenger services. It stores 100 contacts, and provides 10 ringtones and 10 hours of talk time. It's now selling for $129.

For laptop luggers with a ludite tendency, Philips has this USB headset that bears comforting resemblance to a good-old phone. (The cord spools around the phone for quick storage.) Philips flaks couldn't tell us a name, price, or availability date. But it doesn't look like it would be too pricey. – Sean Captain

Netgear's New Cordless Phone Swings Both Ways

www.gizmodo.com — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 13:31:39 EST

Netgear today introduced a new cordless phone that combines plain-old telephone service and Skype calling in one handset. It's not a new concept (Linksys is already doing it, for example), but the new Dual-Mode Cordless Phone with Skype SPH200D is a handsome little package. And it looks easy to use. The handset LCD shows you the option of selecting a SkypeOut or landline connection, and your can scroll through your Skype contact list. The wireless functions use the DECT standard, so reception should be good even if you have lots of other wireless devices flooding the hosue. It's available now for $200.

The base station supports up to 4 handsets, but we're not sure how useful that is. You can only make one phone call at a time. And the clueless Netgear flaks didn't even know if you can use two handsets at the same time (say your two kids want to get on the phone with grandma at the same time.) We can't imagine the phone not supporting that. (But then, neither can we imagine Netgear's top marketing people not knowing how their own products work). – Sean Captain

CES 2007: Philips DECT Cordless Phone

Mark Wilson — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 21:30:38 EST

We know, cordless phones don't grace our pages very often, but the Philips DECT phone/answering machine won a Best of Innovations award for CES 2007. We know little about the product other than it's "pure indulgence crafted exclusively with you in mind," but you already knew that.

We like that you can record up to 15 minutes of a conversation. And apparently the DECT features an acoustic chamber, which we are guessing mellows the usually harsh frequencies of receiver speakers, improving phone sex tenfold. We are also guessing that an intern was probably stuck with the job of handing out the cordless phone awards.– Mark Wilson

Phillips

Auvi PHIP64 DECT Skype Phone

Jason Chen — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 20:00:36 EDT

Similar to the USRobotics USR9630 Skype phone we reviewed yesterday, the Auvi PHIP64 Skype phone uses DECT to connect your handset to the base station, which then connects to your PC via USB to give you wireless Skype calling. Like the USRobotics phone, this has both landline and Skype, along with an LCD display, caller ID, speakerphone, and Skype contact list. In fact, we're pretty sure the feature set is so similar, that they've got more than just a little bit in common.

This Auvi is $129 and will have additional handsets (up to four) available in November for $79 each. All in all, this seems like yet another Skype DECT phone that's, for better or worse, indistinguishable from the competition. – Jason Chen

Press Release [PR Newswire via Crunchgear]

Eleven Ways To Improve Your VoIP Quality of Service

Jason Chen — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 15:20:14 EDT

We post a lot about VoIP, and Skype in particular. But even with all the new phones and gadgets coming out, VoIP still isn't at the level of landlines where things "just work"™.

Here are 11 tips on how to get your VoIP service working like you want it. Some of the good ones are upgrading your internet connection, improving your WiFi signal, using a DECT phone to reduce interference, using Ethernet instead of WiFi, and quitting your downloads while you're on a phone call. Head over to VoIP-Sol to see the full list. – Jason Chen

11 Ways To Improve Your VoIP Quality of Service [VoIP-Sol]

Thompson GE 2830 Cordless DECT Skype Phone

Jason Chen — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 17:15:56 EDT

DECT seems to be all the rage these days whenever someone wants to make a cordless handset or headset, and Thompson isn't one to miss out on the boat. Like the other DECT Skype phones, this has a base station that links to your PC and the standard Skype software, which then communicates audio to and from the handset.

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]

Shiro SK9151 DECT Skype Phone

Jason Chen — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 17:50:52 EDT

Speaking of Skype, a Singaporian company named Shiro has announced the SK9151 DECT Skype phone. In case you weren't familiar with DECT, it's the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications frequency, which goes on the 1.8GHz band instead of the 2.4GHz, which interferes with WiFi and Bluetooth.

The Skype phone itself works without being connected to your computer, like the Linksys Skype Phone that we reviewed a while back. The Shiro has a base station which charges the phone and and connects to your computer via USB, which then interfaces with the Skype software on your PC. The phone has a 100 number memory and 20 number caller ID. It's also hands free, and lets you walk 50 meters away inside your house—300 if there's no obstructions. – Jason Chen

Shiro SK9151 Skype DECT phone [Mobile Mag]

GN Netcom's 9350 DECT 6.0 Headset Reviewed (Verdict: Clear and Versatile)

Jason Chen — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 18:50:01 EDT

The GN Netcom 9350 DECT Headset uses DECT, which operates at 1.9GHz, to provide range and quality not found on Bluetooth or other 2.4GHz headsets. Because it's on 1.9GHz, it doesn't interfere with your headsets, your WiFi, or your various other wireless devices clogging up that frequency. The 9350 looks like a regular headset, but has a 300 foot range, 9 hours of PSTN talk time and 6 hours of VoIP talk time. It also works directly with DECT 6.0 cordless phones, if you've got any of those lying around the house.

The installation of the headset was fairly painless, even on the PC. When done, you can switch between talking on the phone and listening to music. All in all the reviewer had a favorable impression for it, ranking it higher than normal Bluetooth headsets. There were some quirks with switching back and forth, and annoying beeps when muting the mic, but they're mostly minor issues that should be able to be fixed with a firmware update. – Jason Chen

GN 9350 DECT 6.0 headset does PC, VoIP, and regular phone handsets [TMC Net]

Philips VOIP841 DECT Skype Phone

Jason Chen — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 18:00:12 EDT

The Philips VOIP841 uses the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) frequency, an 1.8GHz band that was set aside to allow both security and better battery life than other cordless frequencies. The base-station allows you to plug in a normal land-line connection as well as your ethernet broadband connection. This means you're able to make calls on both Skype and your traditional house phone, much like the Linksys CIT300 we reviewed. However, the Philips doesn't require a PC at all, making it truly standalone.

The only problem, if there is one, with this unit is that it uses DECT instead of WiFi, which means you can't take it to wireless hot-spots like you can with the Belkin WiFi Skype phone. It would be fine as a home phone, but not one you can travel with. No price or availability yet. – Jason Chen

Press Release [eHomeUpgrade]