Skype Technologies S.A. recently announced collaboration with hardware partners to deliver the first Wi-Fi phones for Skype software.
“We want to give people the freedom to move around while talking and have access to Skype wherever they are – whether in front of a computer or while moving around the home or office,” said Stefan Oberg, general manager of hardware for Skype. “Now people can make wireless Internet calls and enjoy the great Skype cost savings and sound quality, free of a computer.”
Wi-Fi phones can be used with the Wi-Fi access points in most homes, offices or campuses. They allow users to make Skype calls from open access points anywhere in the world at no cost or to traditional landlines and mobile phones at low rates.
Internet calling is available on the following Wi-Fi phones: the Belkin Wi-Fi Phone for Skype; the Edge-Core Wi-Fi Phone for Skype; the NETGEAR Wi-Fi Phone for Skype; and the SMC Wi-Fi Phone for Skype.
The software allows Skype users to take Skype Contacts with them and see who is available to talk. The devices come with built-in capabilities that connect users to Skype via any personal, business or free public Wi-Fi access point that does not require browser authentication. The phones can be used with automatic synchronization to a Skype account and contacts. The devices support common Wi-Fi encryption protocols including wired equivalent privacy, WPA, and WPA2 with PSK support.
The Skype-certified Wi-Fi phones will be available in third quarter 2006.
Skype Technologies S.A. www.skype.com
