SMC WSKP100 802.11G Wireless Skype Phone
The SMC WSKP100 Skype Wi-Fi phone extends the convenience of wireless connection and the voice quality of Skype into one portable device. The WSKP100 is intended to help users make Skype calls at home, workplace and campus without the hassle of turning on computers.The modulation of WSKP100 is based on the IEEE802.11b/g standard so it is compatible with most standard 802.11b/g Access Point (AP) in the market. With the embedded Skype software, users can have access to both PSTN and Skype networks as long as users have a valid Skype account. With the easy startup user will not have to remember the SSID or security keys; the WSKP100 stores these information and will connect to AP automatically when it boots up.With embedded Skype software, SMC Networks' Skype Wi-Fi phone provides the users of cost savings, mobility with 802.11b/g WLAN, and hassle free installation with easy startup.
SMC WSKP100 802.11G Wireless Skype Phone Accessories
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Netgear Dual Mode Cordless Phone with Skype(SPH200D)
Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router
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Kingston 2 GB Micro SD Card (SDC/2GB, Retail Package)
Mac OS X Version 10.5.4 Leopard
SMC WSKP100 802.11G Wireless Skype Phone Reviews
I have a D-Link DPH-50U USB-to-telephone adapter which works 100x better, for much less money. Could only place clear calls if I was in the same room as the access point. If you need on-the-road skype service, I think that the Nokia internet tablet is a better choice. Right out of the box, the phone would not connect to my Linksys access point with WPA encryption. I returned my SMC Skype phone. I had to upgrade the firmware on the phone to the latest version before it would properly connect.
Avoid this terrible parody of communication, this nightmare of customer service, and buy something, ANYTHING else. Fine. I called SMC and vented some frustration - I explained that I had better reception results using the Belkin firmware (this was an option a while ago, I haven't used this phone in easily a year.). Fast forward six months, and that tech is nowhere to be seen, any my little gift (which I didn't use because it sucked too) has become an advance RMA (where I send in the old one). Again, frustrating and kinda defeating it's appeal to a road warrior. Yes, you can have it on all day, perhaps even talk a good chunk of it, but two. Conversation is laggy, and quite akin to 1950's radio communication - "Hi, how are you, over.". If you power it down after every call, you don't dial out, but it's largely a glorified pager at that point.
The sound quality is excellent however, if you have good service, and patience for 2000ms voice latency. The tech sent me a free phone, saying that he was sure I had a defective unit, and to accept a free one instead of going on a reviews rampage (my threat at the time). There is no 'lock keys' on it at this time. So SMC mailed me until I put 'em on the spamblocker. I blew about a third of my minutes from it dialing my friends with it's ghetto little stick control from my pocket. It's reception is mediocre at best, if you're leaning on the walls housing the hotspot, you'll get reception - there will be no reception while driving, and although you may be able to check your messages with low reception, talking is hopeless.
I bought this with great hopes for telephony freedom - the ability to travel anywhere in the world while keeping my number, and straight ditching my conventional phoneline when I got broadband. Absolutely not. I bought a cradle for it, and that's nice for battery if I'm home, but doesn't help it's crappy firmware or power management. However this was not to be. It's heavy, clunky, and it's screen scratches easily. and detailed my frustrations listed above.
But this is not it. That is IF you find a wireless access point where you don't have to enter a WEP key or something. If you are at a location in the street where there is supposed to be free wireless access, you also can not move or let anyone walk in front of your phone. Save your money unless you just want a toy to put on the shelf after one failed test call. You can make a few calls if you sit in one spot but keep your fingers crossed because the call is likely to disconnect for no reason at any moment even when you are sitting right beside your internet access.
You can be sitting right beside someone testing the phone for you and the call goes straight to voice mail. If you are lucky you may make a couple phone calls without the phone disconnecting but make them short calls and talk really fast just in case. You can't even let a good breeze blow or the call will disconnect. I can make a short call on it in my house if I hold my breath, don't move and don't allow any movement in the room. You will be as if you are invisible.
I don't know if any of the other WIFI phones work but this one is ABSOLUTELY A PIECE OF JUNK. It is not a settings problem. Well, this crappy piece of plastic does not even work at my house. You walk into another room just feet away and you have NO SIGNAL. I do better with Skype on my laptop at wireless points. Don't expect anyone to be able to reach you on this phone. When people try to call you the phone NEVER RINGS.
I honestly HOPE they refine this so that it works because I really do want this type of product. At least that workss.
It is just WRONG. I was able to make one call out in the street at a wireless access point but of course the call disconnected within the first few words of the conversation. My cordless phone at home has a much better range.
I was SO excited about getting this item. If you walk in front of the phone in the same room with your internet connection your call disconnects. I thought I would be able to make calls at some places where my laptop can pick up a signal out and about and use it at home also.
Throughout the day we hear its "swoop" sound indicating it was disconnected from Skype, for whatever reason - yet none of the computers on the network have any problems staying connected. And even at full volume it's difficult to hear the person you're talking to. Often it's hard to tell whether you pressed one of the plastic keypad buttons or not - or whether the phone is just frozen temporarily. It constantly shuts off in the middle of calls, despite having nearly full battery. The phone interface is unintuitive in many ways. We got this phone to call to landline and cell phones in the US with SkypeOut. The echo is so bad that nearly everyone we call mentions it - with the included headset, it is better but still a problem. A few months later, we've learned to avoid using it whenever possible.
Skype should not have endorsed this piece of technology. BUT, there are many problems. Probably the biggest is the fact that you can only talk for 20 minutes before the battery dies. In addition the screen is very slow to respond to keyboard inputs. This product does indeed let you make wi-fi Skype calls. This phone in no way lives up to the expectations created by comparably priced cell phones.
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