NETGEAR SPH200D - Cordless phone / VoIP phone - DECT - Skype Review

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(More customer reviews)I've always wanted one of these because I really wanted to give the voip thing a shot and save some cash too, but the initial price tag of these things were crazy, $700 all the way up to nearly $1,000 when availability got tight, NUTS! Now you can get them at about 60% to 70% off those prices and at that, while still not next to nothing, is still much more of a viable option for the masses. The thing to remember is that this is a dated phone, although it still does its job fine, it just doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the newer models. While you can hook it up to your standard phone line and your modem line I prefer to leave it just hooked up to the modem and use it as my Long Distance phone. Some say why bother with it when you can get skype via your cpu for free regardless but just call me old fashioned, I like using the phone. Also I'm on the cpu way to much in my life already, whatever I can do to get away from it I've decided is worth doing. It's really just a phone and that's what I wanted. I would 100% recommend using the setup disk or simply setting up your account online with Skype instead of doing all the stuff through the handset. Once set up the program really does transition flawlessly from your online settings and contacts right to the handset.
I do have one technical recommendation and fix I'll detail here. For the record I found this fix on one of the other reviews on this site but expanded upon it so the very basic cpu user can do it, and this fix is only needed if you have a cpu in conjunction with the phone, because as stated this phone only needs a modem you technically don't have to have a cpu to use it, all the setup can be done right on the handset. But of course if you're on this site I'll just assume you have a cpu. Now you will need a pencil and paper:
1st- On the handset hit the menu button, scroll to the settings tab and press select.
2nd- Scroll to the Network tab and press select
3rd- Press select on the DHCP, write down the IP address (all numbers and dots in exact sequence)
4th- On your CPUs address bar type in the exact IP address you wrote down, NO http or WWW (all numbers and dots in exact sequence)
5th- When prompted use the user name - admin and the password - password.
6th- On the left side of the Blue and White Netgear page select the Network option.
7th- there are two selections, the 2nd, Link Speed, should be set to Auto. It comes factory set to 10M, which is a low quality link compatible for older systems. Even if you have an older system in most cases you pull more than 10M and being in auto means your system won't be held slave to a set point.
Also you should save the IP address for future reference and system tweaks along with status info.
Thanks and hoped that helped.


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Simply plug the Dual-mode Cordless Phone Station into your Internet router (Ethernet port) to enjoy making Skype calls. In addition, you can plug the base station into your phone line (PSTN) wall jack to make landline calls - from the same cordless phone. Up to 3 additional phones can be added - so you can replace your current cordless phones throughout your home with NETGEAR's Dual-mode Cordless Phone with Skype.

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VTech IP8300 InfoPhone Cordless Phone Review

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(More customer reviews)This is not a VoIP phone as it states in the product discription. I purchased this phone thinking that it was a VoIP phone and found out that it was an "Info Phone" Neeless to say I was dissapointed to be be misled by the product discription.

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- VTech InfoPhone expandable cordless system with access to online content- DECT 6.0 Digital technology provides the best sound quality, security and range in cordless phones- Expandable up to 5 handsets using only one phone jack- Caller ID/call waiting -- stores 40 calls- High resolution 64K color display- Handset speakerphoneenjoy hands-free conversations- 60 name and number phonebook directory -- easily store and dial frequently called numbers- Conference an outside call between handsets- Intercom between handsetsno more shouting, "Dinner Time!"- Transfer calls between handsetsno more shouting, "It's for you!"- Any key answer- Backlit keypad and display- Comfortable handset size- Handset volume control- Selectable ring tones- Voicemail waiting indicator- PC independentconnect the telephone base to your broadband router for always-on access- Personalized Internet content includes: news headlines, sports scores, horoscopes and weather forecasts on the handset- Yahoo! Local searchfind a plumber or your favorite restaurant from the handset- Access your Yahoo! address book- Real-time IM chat and access to your buddy list- Review and respond to e-mail- Create secure individual profiles for each member of the family- Customize ring tones, wallpaper and color themeVTIP8300

Get 46% OFF

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IPEVO S0-20 WiFi Phone for Skype Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been using the Ipevo So-20 Skypephone for over a week now (mine came directly from Taiwan) and I am amazed at how well it works.
Previously I had tried and returned both the Belkin and Netgear Wi-Fi phones because they were full of bugs, the battery life was ridiculous and call quality inferior to Skype calls from a PC. I eventually settled for the now discontinued Linksys CIT-400 and I am quite satisfied with it except that battery life is also poor and it requires an interface (access point)to be connected to your modem/router.
The Ipevo SO-20 is a totally autonomous Wi-Fi Skypephone, all you need is a wireless network (B or G). Compared to its predecessors the Ipevo has the following advantages:
-Li-ion battery: the SO-20 can last up to 3 days off the charger on stand-by, but count on a couple of days between charges in normal use.
-Wi-Fi connection manager: the Ipevo allows you to manage your wireless access by storing favorite networks and their access keys. You can also decide whether it can connect to non-saved networks or only to preferred ones. It supports WEP, WPA and WPA2 encryption (I just think you cannot use it when you have to log-in on a network through a web page, but check the Skype site, I think they have a flat-rate package to access all Boingo hot-spots worldwide).
Wireless range is pretty decent, I never went below 3 bars (out of 5) inside my home.
-Very modern and clean design and the feel is not that of cheap plastic. The screen is very legible, the keypad is backlit, you can adjust the volume with 2 dedicated keys on the side, like on a regular cell phone and there is a headset jack. You can charge the Ipevo either directly from the charger via a mini-USB connection (handy if you need to use it while charging), or by dropping it on the supplied cradle.
Overall the Ipevo SO-20 is an amazing Wi-Fi Skypephone and I highly recommend it.

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Operate via a Wi-Fi wireless Internet connection. This gives you the freedom to make Skype calls when you connect to a secure or open Wi-Fi network (that does not require browser-based login or authentication).No computer required. It is a much simpler and comfortable way to make and receive Skype calls, without having to sacrifice the benefits of Skype's free and low-cost services.

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