Customer Reviews

USB Internet Phone with skype

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I love this phone because it offers caller ID, selectable ringtones and a whole bunch of stuff - unbeatable for the price (30 bucks). But on the other hand, I got this phone expecting it to do nothing more for me. This is a great add-on to Skype and is very very handy.

Plus, it actually offers features like storing the last number dialed and displaying the number which left a voicemail!

But do not get this phone if:
a. u have a mac
b. u want to see the caller list from the lcd - get the linksys set if you want that.
c. want a cordless or bluetooth one - this is corded but is very convenient anyway.

All in all, great stuff for the price! - and a must if you plan to make skype a part of your life.

This phone works. The driver is a minor issue unless you have a Mac.

For those who complain about delays in voice, the phone is not the one to blame. You need to learn how VOIP works before making your statement. IRAQ is not next door. For a network packet to prapagate to Iraq, it has to travels thru hudreds of hubs. 15 seconds sounds long but not all that unreasonable considering sattellites are involved in the transmission.

This was a inexpensive USB Internet phone that I got to do 'proof-of-concept' testing on Skype. It worked fine and so did the software that came with it. If I get more serious about VoIP, then I'll move up to a better one or cordless.

I bought this phone for my husband, who is stationed in Iraq, so we could keep in touch using Skype. I never saw anything in the product description that it woudn't work with a Mac operating system, but when it arrived in Iraq, my husband was unable to use it. Very frustrating.

I bought this phone but it was not clear exactly how to use it with a Mac.Therefore, I am giving it 3 stars.
To use with a Mac you evidently need to download SkyMACMate from the USR site and install (open the dmg file and move the applications to the Application Folder) on your Mac. Note: USR says this does not work with Intel processors. (**NOTE: Issues have been observed on Intel-based Mac systems. Until the issues are addressed, consistent results may not be obtained.** )Then you open both Skype and SkyMACMate when making a call. Of course this USB "device" needs to be selected as the sound source input and output in the Skype program.
Specifically:
1. When SkyMACMate is installed, ensure that you tell skype that the program that wants to use Skype is allowed to use Skype all of the time. Saying "no" will keep SkyMACMate from connecting to Skype and the phone at the same time and so the phone will show the "X".
2. If you haven't done so allready, re-boot your system after installing SkyMACMate. This will allow all of the pieces of software to fully settle into place and get to work. We realize that this is so Windows-ish, but there are times that it's still true.
3. Ensure that both Skype (started first) and SkyMACMate (started second) are started and the green icons are showing in the dock. If the SkyMACMate icon is red, then it's not talking to the phone.

The Skype internet telephone service is excellent, however I was hoping that this telephone would be just a plug in and use device. Unfortunately even if the PC you plug it into has Skype, you cannot use it unless you load driver software which means you cannot use this telephone on public PCs or Internet Cafes as they do not allow this.

If you want a telephone with good features that is always available beside your always on PC then this is a good unit, however if you travel around a lot and have to grab access where you can, buy a ZipLinq microphone headset and carry a wireless capable laptop.

Personally I am now using a standard microphone & audio earphone headset plugged into my sound card on my PC at home for skype.

The phone works great and I would give 5 stars but. I purchased one for $20(good deal)and set it up on my XP machine with no problems after getting the latest driver from US Robotics website. I returned it because I was still teatherd to the PC so I figured why bother with the USR handset when my Skype UI was in front of me on the monitor. A little earbud with a mic I have that came free with another piece of software worked Skype just as well for me. I have an extention plug from my sound card so I can easily change from the earbud to my PC speakers on my desk.

Save your money for a few more paychecks and get the Linksys CIT 200. Its cordless and works great with all your contacts or direct dial out from the handset anywhere within 50 meters of your PC. I have the CIT 200 setup on my MCE computer and it works flawlessly. I can even watch TV and talk on the CIT 200 at the same time.

I got the skype VOIP phone because I heard about it while I was in Iraq. People were talking through the computers with the one's they loved, like some kind of futuristic videophone. It pretty much does that, and the fact that you don't have to pay any connection fees (unless it's a call to someone else not using Skype) is nice, but there are a few downsides. One, there is a major delay in the transmission; you can say something in the phone, and it will take like 10-15 seconds before it arrives on the other end. Also, you have to keep it connected to your computer with your computer online if you ever want to recieve unexpected phonecalls from loved ones; otherwise you'll have to make arrangements with them to be online at the same time. Ultimately, it is a very usefull tool if you have limited access to hi-tech communications (like in 3rd world foreign countries), but at the same time you may find it more of a hassle than a boon if you use it like a home phone.