Gadget Review : Netgear SPH200D DualPhone for Skype
Tags : Netgear SPH200D SkypeBookmark :
Last week we purchased a new phone system for the house to replace our current cordless handset. We had been looking to replace the current system for a little while as when the phone was in use the wifi network would sometimes dissappear depending on what channel the phone decided to use and because you couldn't use the microwave oven without causing massive interference on the phoneline either.
While we could have just replaced the system with a DECT system that ran on a different wavelength we ended up buying the Netgear SPH200D DualPhone that works on both your landline and your Skype account. The system consists of two parts, the base unit and the handset. The base unit plugs into your router and your landline and the handset goes where ever you want in the house. The SPH200D runs at 1.9Ghz so no distruption to out wifi network will occur.
Turning on the handset for the first time prompts you to either log into an existing skype account or create a new one and once your logged in you can see a list of all your skype contacts and their current status, you can make skype-skype calls or if you have SkypeOut credit you can make SkypeOut calls at much cheaper rates then your ordinary landline, of course you can still make calls on the landline if you need to or if you don't have any SkypeOut credit. It also supports SkypeIn and Skype Voicemail. One that that surprised me was that it could also detect when there was voicemail on our landline and set a notification on the handset's screen.
If you decide to setup a new Skype account for the phone then I would recommend using your computer to make the data entry and setup of your contacts list easier, however setting up the SPH200D itself does not require a computer in anyway, the only requirement is broadband internet.
The handset is nice and light and is charged by two recharable batteries that are supposed to give up to 12 hours talk time. The handset also has a mute button ( for when the dogs start barking in the background when your on an important conference call ) and a speakerphone option. There is also a headphone jack on the side so you don't need to hold the phone on long calls. You can link 4 handsets to a single base unit so this really is a whole house phone replacement system and while one person may be on a Skype or SkypeOut call another handset could be used to make or take a landline call.
So far the DualPhone hasn't had too much use yet at home, i've made one SkypeOut call on it and we have received on landline call, in both cases the call quality was perfect however the SkypeOut call doesn't have any sort of CallerID on the recipients phone but this is something Skype needs to fix.
Overall I'd recommend this phone if your looking to get a new system for your house or if you wantr to move into the world of Skype at home.
Comments
Some reviews suggest that this might not be possible.
Posted by Lee At 02:34:24 AM On 08/14/2007 | - Website - |
Now that a few weeks have passed, how do you feel about it?
Posted by Alex At 11:05:36 AM On 04/13/2007 | - Website - |
Posted by Declan Lynch At 11:12:24 AM On 04/13/2007 | - Website - |