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I have used my share of VoIP phones out there, so when Plantronics sent me the newish Calisto Pro Series, I didn’t have too high of expectations.  However I became impressed quickly with the great Bluetooth integration, among other features.  There are three ways you can talk on the phone (or Skype): speakerphone, on the handset, or on the included Bluetooth headset.  This amount of flexibility is a great thing to have when you’re in an office—or even at home—since you have the choice to go anywhere in your house.  So what if you want to sit in your living room, and the Bluetooth signal can’t make it that far?  Don’t worry, the headset is paired with the handset, so just bring the handset with you!

Have I mentioned that the Calisto can also be used as your landline phone?  Well, it sure can.  The device has seemless integration with both Skype (and your computer) and your landline connection.  So if you’re talking long distance to someone across the world, and hang up to make a local call, you don’t even have to switch anything… just hang up, dial the number, and press talk.

Design

Overall, the Calisto’s design is sleek, but not too fancy.  The phone’s handset is a bit bulky, but it’s smaller than most traditional cordless phones, so we won’t dock them there.  The Bluetooth headset is a big flimsy, and I had a hard time with it - but while you’re sitting at your desk, it’s really OK to have a flimsy headset on since you’re not making any sharp movements that will knock it off.

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Like Skype? Well, Netgear has released a dual-mode cordless phone that works with a standard land line and - yep, you guessed it - Skype. The Netgear SPH200D Dual-Mode DECT Cordless Phone With Skype allows you to switch between your network router for Skype calling and your landline for good ol’ regular calls. Of course, if you are super keen on Skyping, who knows why you’d want the landline, too. Anyway, it lets you switch between landline and Skype for each call and will support up to four handsets. The 1.9GHz SPH200D is currently available for $200. One site says your computer needs to be on for the phone to work but the Netgear site doesn’t say anything about it. Let us know if you have tried it. The Netgear Dual-Mode Cordless Phone With Skype is currently available for $200.

Read [Crave] Site [Netgear] Product [Netgear SPH200D]

For those of you that need to find a tech stocking stuffer this year, there is the newly released Netgear SPH101 Wifi Skype 802.11g phone.

Nearly a year after the handset was announced, Netgear has released the SPH101 this week that would allow free calls to be made anywhere with wireless services using the Skype service. Measuring a slim and trendy 4.33x1.81x0.83 inches, the SPH101 can be charged through your USB connection, with the capability to store up to 200 contacts and to forward Skype calls to any landline or cell phone. Prices are starting at a little more than $200 from major retailers.

Read [Netgear] Via [TheTechPlanet]

If you don’t already know, Skype is offering free PC to landline calling until the end of this year (and maybe forevermore). Now all you need to make this convenient is a Skype enabled handset, taking your hands off of your keyboard and cutting the headset cord. Belkin’s Wi-Fi Phone gives you mobility to place free, unlimited domestic and international calls over the Internet to other Skype users as well as Grandma’s 100 year old, five digit phone number.

The Belkin Wi-Fi Phone connects to Wi-Fi hotspots around the world, especially the one in your home, allowing you to easily access your Skype account without turning on the computer, making it an ideal traveling companion. To make a call, simply use the on-screen color menu to locate your contact and view your online availability—just like using Skype on a computer. Don’t worry about eavesdropping as the handset has built in WPA and WPA2 encryption and is 802.11b/g compatible.

The Wi-Fi Phone (model number F1PP000GN-SK) will ship in North America for $189.99 in August 2006, with launches in Asia, Europe, and Australia to follow shortly.

Read [Belkin]
Via [Palm Addicts]

Skype, in its second push to control the VoIP market, is offering its U.S.-based users one hour of free international calling to landline phones in 30 countries around the world until June 30, 2006.

The catch is that you must be a new SkypeOut user and opt-in to receive Skype emails. To claim your free chat time you must click a link that will be sent to your valid email address to redeem 60 minutes of free international calling using SkypeOut.

The countries include: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong-Kong, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United States, and the United Kingdom.

Read [Skype]