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If you're a Skype subscriber, you're probably very happy with the cheap calls you can make to overseas land lines and mobile phones, and you're probably ecstatic over the free calls you can make 24/7 to your fellow Skype subscribers around the world. But you're probably not overjoyed having to be tethered to your computer in order to make those calls. Thankfully, Belkin has come to your rescue. With the Belkin Wi-Fi Phone for Skype, not only are you free to roam away from your computer as you talk turkey with Istanbul, you don't even need a computer to make calls. As long as you have access to a Wi-Fi network -- any hot spot will do -- you can use your Belkin Wi-Fi phone to connect to your Skype account and talk to your heart's content. We recently put a beta model of the Belkin Wi-Fi phone to the test, and we walked away impressed with its potential. While there are a few wrinkles still to iron out, the Belkin Wi-Fi has a promising future with Skype subscribers. How Skype Works
For the uninitiated, Skype is a free service that allows you to use your computer's broadband connection to make phone calls to anywhere in the world. You simply create a free account on the Skype web site, download software to your computer, and once you have a microphone and headset, you can call land lines, mobile numbers or other Skype users through your computer. The Belkin Wi-Fi for Skype takes the computer, headphones and headset out the equation, but this is generally how the service works. With Skype, your calls to overseas non-Skype users are substantially cheaper than most cell phone or land-line services, and your calls to your fellow Skype users, regardless of where they are in the world, are absolutely free. So if you're in a business that requires extensive overseas communication, or you're trekking the globe, Skype is a service you'll want to consider. The Belkin Wi-Fi Phone Design
At about the same dimensions and weight of an average open-faced cell phone, such as the Sony Ericsson T637, the Belkin easily passes the transportability test. The phone features a durable black shell and a bright screen that offers a soft blue and white background with crisp black text. While adequate in low-light or office conditions, the screen doesn't fare well in bright sunshine, but it's still readable. Because the phone is only intended to be used for calls, it does not include any advanced media options. This interface is designed simply to get you connected to your Skype account. An easy-to-use center control toggle makes it a snap to navigate through the phone menu, and the number pad is similar in size to cell phone. The charging port and headphone connection are provided on the bottom of the phone, while the volume control is set to the side. Overall, it's a straightforward design, without any bells or whistles, that gets the job done. How the Belkin Wi-Fi Phone Works
Although you initially need a computer to sign up for a Skype account, the Belkin only needs an open 802.11 b/g-compatible wireless access point to get you connected.
Without exception, the quality of our overseas Skype-to-Skype calls was as clear as any land line we'd ever used. There were no lags in the conversation, and nothing resembling static.
| Once you power up, you can easily configure your Belkin Wi-Fi phone to auto-connect so that within seconds you'll be ready to talk. But if you're on the road, you'll want the option of connecting manually to the strongest available network. Using the center toggle, it's easy enough to navigate to the network settings where you'll see the full list of available networks and their relative signal strengths. You simply choose the one you want to connect to. If the Wi-Fi network offers open access, the Belkin will connect to it automatically; if it requires a password, you'll be prompted to submit it via the phone's keypad. Once you're connected, the phone will sign you into your Skype account, and you'll be ready to talk. Your "contacts" folder will give you direct access to all of your Skype contacts. Simply navigate to the person you want to call, and if they're signed in, you can be talking to them within seconds. If you want to call a land line, you use the key pad to dial the number the old fashioned way. And while you lose some of the Skype features with the Belkin that you otherwise have with your computer, such as the ability to initiate conference calls, you gain the freedom of being able to roam within the range of any accessible wireless network as you talk. Connection Quality and Convenience
We tested the Belkin Wi-Fi for Skype by calling land lines and cell phones in the continental United States, and by calling overseas to other Skype subscribers. While the quality of the connections within the U.S. to non-Skype users varied, the voice clarity was generally adequate on our end, though in each case the recipient of our calls did not immediately recognize our voice. Also, in each case there was a perceivable lag in the conversation that was intrusive at times. However, we would normally not use Skype to make non-Skype calls within the U.S. With more than 80 percent of its subscribers outside of the U.S., Skype is ideal for international calls, and it's truly optimized for Skype-to-Skype calling. In our third set of tests, we called fellow Skype subscribers in Europe. Without exception, the quality of our overseas Skype-to-Skype calls was as clear as any land line we'd ever used. There were no lags in the conversation, and nothing resembling static. 
| None of this is to say that the beta phone we tested was without flaws. In our first round of testing, the phone powered up and connected to our office network seamlessly. However, in subsequent calls using the same network, we had some connection difficulties. Although the Belkin phone could "see" the network, and the password was configured correctly, it simply wouldn't connect. But once we took the phone to a public hot spot, it once again performed flawlessly. One design problem we encountered involved the phone's power-saving mode. After 30 seconds of inactivity, the screen goes completely dark and the phone appears to be shut down. Changing the screen's "time out" settings had no effect on this. This would not be an issue if the phone had a feature such as a continuous time display or screen saver that indicated that the phone was still powered up. As it stands, however, it's too easy to assume the phone is shut down when the screen is black, and it's therefore easy to inadvertently drain the battery. But that's a glitch that should easily be rectified, and it did little to take away from our overall conclusion that the Belkin Wi-Fi for Skype is a phone that has the potential of turning your free Skype subscription into an invaluable asset. Pros
- Durable, compact design
- Exceptional clarity with Skype-to-Skype calls
- Eliminates the need for a computer while making Skype calls
Cons
- Inconsistent quality of non-Skype calls
- Regulating the power-down mode is problematic
- Phone offers no other multi-media features
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 All Around Great Phone!!! |
| Review Date: December 12, 2006 |
| Reviewer: skypefan, Los Angeles |
| I am in love with this Phone!! After waiting for this phone to come out for months it does not dissapoint. The Black design is sleek and screen is bright and clear. The user interface is very easy to use and it makes calling your skype buddies fun and easy. I showed my mom who has never even used skype before and she was able to call my sister who is away at school without my help at all. Showing my friends this phone has definitely created some converts to this new technology that is going to be huge. Overall with this phone being 50 dollars cheaper than netgears, and the fact that it uses Boingo software to connect to its 60,000 hotspots worldwide, buying this phone was a no brainer. I Recomend this phone to anyone that likes to keep in touch with friends and family over long distances, a skype fan, or to anyone looking for the next coolest gadget to show off to all their friends. |
! ! Great Phone ! ! Delivers More Than Promised! !
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| Review Date: January 9, 2007 |
| Reviewer: J. Dillon, Connecticut |
I have been using this phone for 1 week now. The instructions state that it will operate about 90 meters (300 feet) from the access point. I have been able to access networks at this distance and further. When I do a network scan the number of networks it pulls in is unbelievable. My laptop and PDA can't even pull in some of these networks.
The voice quality is superb, there is no echo on my end or on the receiving end. There is however a very slight delay between callers at times. You should have a least 2 signal bars to have a problem free conversation.
The battery does not last a super long time but on a full charge it lasts in stand by for over two days. I have had many conversations without it going dead. For people worried about battery life, you can pick up a spare battery for it for about $10.00 bucks online.
I purchased the Skype out for $14.95 and the skype in for $38.00. On most any block you can find a unsecured Internet connection. Who cares that it does not have a browser for the coffee shops that require a terms of agreement, chances are there is someone nearby that coffee shop broadcasting the Internet for free.
Only one draw back is the touch tones when pushing the buttons are not recognized by most automated services.
It has an earpiece jack and btw the little plastic cover covering the charger port and ear piece is not that flimsy, with care it will last the life of the phone.
For the people worried about scratching or smudging the beautiful screen, just get PDA or cell phone screen cover. The screen coveters don't cost that much and do protect the screen.
This is the Best WIFI phone on the market so far. I don't know where these bad reviews are coming from, maybe some people got a bad phone and should return it for an exchange or their Internet connection is not good.
I have been all over the city and its like having a free cell phone, when one Internet connection drops there is another one to pick up!
I recommend this phone over any other WIFI phone.
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Excellent Product
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| Review Date: April 10, 2007 |
| Reviewer: T PETRICCA, Lynn, MA USA |
| I have had this product for a month now and have used it to call people all over the USA and have not had any problems. My secure wireless connection at home is on 24/7 and I can pick up my Belkin Wi-Fi phone at any time and it never once did not make a connect. Set up was way too easy. I got into the Skype plan when they offered $14.95 unlimited calls to USA and Canada for a year. Great plan and great phone. Two of my friends that have used it are going to get one. |
Cool
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| Review Date: August 3, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Robert, Canada |
| I recieved my Belkin Wi-Fi phone about a week ago and will be dropping my home phone service at the end of the month. However, I will be keeping my cell phone pay as you go plan. This is because I can not get a Canadian number from skype. So I have a Michigan number which is local to my sister. When I make calls from Skype it looks like I am calling from my cell phone. There is a slight delay in using the phone but it is easy to anticipate and conversations go smoothly. On rare occasions I have gotten a bad connection, solved by hanging up and calling back. The phone has no bells and whisltes. No camera, surfing the net etc. It is a basic phone, which is fine by me. It is easy and straight forward to use. Set up is easy. The screen attracts dust, dirt and greese like mad but not a problem once I put a LCD screen protector on. 3 for 10 loonies at best buy. I have had no problem using it around town. It connects at McDonalds, Starbucks, all the hotels I have stopped at and when driving around town I can usually find an unsecured network. Setting it up at home was as easy as typing in my WEP passkey. It must be recharged everyday. Enough said. I am thinking about getting a usb charger for the car. I have seen them at Best Buy. This phone is going to save me $720/year. How can anyone agrue with that. I love this phone and when Skype starts providing Canadian local numbers I will drop the cell phone as well. |
A great Wifi phone
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| Review Date: January 16, 2007 |
| Reviewer: William Taylor, Bellingham WA |
Maybe some of the previous reviewers of this phone had a terrible spate of bad luck or something. However, my experience so far with this phone has been extremely positive. After trying it out for the first time today, I must say that I am extremely delighted with my purchase. At the very first free hot spot which I stumbled upon, (from the parking lot)I phoned many of my friends using SkypeOut and ALL of them remarked that the sound quality was excellent. And during this time, I experienced none of the problems mentioned previously (ie: dropped calls, echo, etc.)
Later on in the day, I was sitting outside of a Starbucks Coffee location (a T-Mobile Hot Spot) and even though I was convinced by previous reviewers that it wouldn't work, I decided to power it up and see for myself. To my surprise, it worked like a charm!! After numerous calls again, testing for voice quality and distance of coverage from the hotspot itself, I must say that I am very impressed with this device. As I do a lot of travelling and need to keep in touch with loved ones at home,this will come in very handy for me. NO more lugging around laptops anymore...this fits in my pocket nicely...thanks Belkin!! |
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