I tested the Linksys - WIP320 iPhone - Wireless-G Phone For Skype. Don't be confused with the "iPhone" designation. This phone has nothing to do with the Apple iPhone. Apparently, Linksys (a division of Cisco Systems) holds the registered trademark to the name "iPhone". According to a IP lawyer friend of mine, Cisco sued Apple and they settled to use the name in different markets. I guess Linksys gets the VOIP market and Apple the cell phone market.

So, on with the review! The WIP320 is a neat little device that frees you from having to have a computer to use Skype. All you need is a wireless network. However, that is its biggest failing. No network, no Skype. You either need a completely open network, or know the key or passphrase for a WEP protected network. A popular cafe in my town (Berkeley, CA) has a free network (Feeva) that you need to agree to terms before you are on. This will not work with the phone as there is no browser in the phone to allow you to logon. The addition of a simple browser would be a huge improvent to this product. Many other cafes in town have totally open networks and I had no problem connecting and placing calls from these. I was also able to connect and place calls from the student lounge of Berkeley City College and the wireless network in my home.

The phone uses the Skype software to accomodate all of the usual Skype services like Skype Out (Skype to a real phone) which requires buying Skype credit, Skype in (Calls from real phones to Skype) which requires purchasing a Skype number, and of course Skype to Skype which is always free. See http://www.skype.com/ for all of the details. If you are not familiar with how Skype works, all of this may be confusing. None users of Skype probably would not grasp the utility of the this product.

Setting up is easy. You can choose your user name password, and long name from the phone. I bought my Skype credit online. Adding contacts is a little tedious due to the usual multiple characters per key that most phone have. Unless you are spoiled by the Apple iPhone, this is no problem after a while. A bright color screen and cool blue keypad comprise the UI. The time and your remaining Sype Credit is on the display home when the phone powers up. When you connect to a network you get the same familiar Skype "Woop" sound to let you and everyone else know that you are smart enough to Skype.

I spent $132.99 plus delivery. The phone could definitely pay for itself if you are making a lot of overseas calls, need the convenience of not using the computer and have open wireless networks where you need to use the phone. Do to the possible lack of available networks, it would probably be hard to rely on this as your only phone, even if you took advantage of all of Skype's services. Skype's "Skype to Go" might be a better option than buying this phone if you mostly call one international number. One important note that I would like to pass on from the maker. This phone cannot be used to make emergency phone calls, and should not be used as a replacement for a regular phone.

$132.99

(All prices are subject to change without notice.)

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More info or buy the Linksys WIP320