• incoming and outgoing calls don't register
• call history doesn't synchronize between Skype on PC, and Skype phone
• keyboard a little clunky
• can't send sms texts
• takes over a minute to load up contacts
• contacts have to be reloaded every time Skype reconnects, which is each time one switches networks
• standard typeface is gross, with poor kerning

Apart from that, the phone is excellent! I gave my sister, in London, a local number on which to call me. Free for her, because she has bundled local minutes. Free for me, apart from the number rental. And
the quality of the call was perfect.

We agree with him on just about all counts. It's great to have a Skype phone you can take with you wherever there's WiFi, but it does need a little polish—it's first generation technology after all.

It also looks like Amazon's lowered their price of $249 to $199 after $30 rebate. That puts it only $20 above the $179 offered for Belkin's, which has a release date of November 20. Estimated delivery is 1 to 2 weeks. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Amazon]

Note: This may be a bit unfair, as the version of software on Belkin's unit is pre-release and Netgear's is release. We'll do another match-up once Belkin releases a final version of the firmware.

Size: Netgear's is smaller, easier to hold.

Comfort: Belkin's finish may look better, but Netgear's is easier to hold in your hand and up to your ear.

Heat: Both got pretty hot, but Belkin stayed a bit cooler than Netgear's.

Call Quality (includes reception): The overall quality was about the same, but Netgear had noticeably less lag than Belkin. The Belkin unit is still a pre-release version, whereas Netgear's version is release, therefore more stable.

Skype-to-Skype: Tie. Both were decent.

Skype-out: Netgear's was definitely more stable and didn't have the lag that was in Belkin's unit.

UI: Netgear's was faster, more responsive, and the keys have a better tactile feedback than Belkin's. But the Belkin phone had a brighter screen, and didn't have the annoying problem of having to manually type in the "+" key whenever you wanted to add a Skype-out contact.

Talk-Time: Belkin wins at three hours compared to Netgear's two.

Speakerphone: Netgear wins. Belkin doesn't have one.

Cost: Belkin's was only $179 on Amazon before it was taken down. Netgear's is $249.

Conclusion: Netgear wins 7-4, thanks to its better call quality, smaller size, and more responsive UI. However, the race may be a bit closer next time after Belkin updates its firmware. We're going to say award Netgear the crown now, but check back in October for a re-match. – Jason Chen

Check in tomorrow for a full-on review and comparison to the Belkin Skype phone. – Jason Chen

Update: The video should be up any second now. Just keep refreshing!

Update 2: Forget YouTube. It's up on Veoh now.

Unfortunately for Europe and Asia, they won't be getting theirs until October. Amazon's page still says "pre-order", so expect an update from them soon. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Amazon via VoIP-Sol]

Of course, it's not all a bed of roses; if you want to use this Skype WiFi phone on your wireless network at home, you'll have to open up that network to the rest of the world, because, of course, hotspots requiring web-based authentication are not supported. But still, it's hard to compete with free, and that's just what Skype is.

Netgear Skype Wi-Fi Phone SPH101 [Amazon]