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Cordless dual-mode Skype phones compared

John P. Falcone John P. Falcone, Senior Editor April 6, 2009

Skype's VOIP (voice over IP) service has plenty of advantages: you can talk to millions of other users worldwide for free, and even make calls to standard phones for a very minimal fee. But as an Internet phone service, Skype has been tied to PCs: you needed a headset or a USB phone plugged into a powered-up PC. That's now a thing of the past with the latest series of Skype dual-mode phones. Each of these phones can be plugged into your home network (for Skype) and/or your regular landline, giving you the best of both worlds when it comes to making a phone call. All are DECT 6.0 cordless phones, so they work with a minimum of wireless interference, and--with the exception of the Linksys offering--each system can be expanded throughout the house with additional handsets. The bottom line is that you get all the convenience and thriftiness of your Skype account--without the need to even turn on your computer.

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Review date August 03, 2007 June 18, 2007 April 16, 2007 November 28, 2007
The Bottom Line The Netgear SPH200D enables phone calls on Skype and traditional landlines--but it falls a bit short of competing models on design and features. The Linksys iPhone CIT400 is a capable Skype dual-mode phone, but it doesn't include the expansion options offered by competing models. Slick design and mostly solid performance sets the Philips VOIP8411B apart from competing Skype dual-mode phones. GE's dual-mode Skype phone/cordless handset may not be the sexiest model out there, but its ability to toggle between Skype and landline calls--and even do three-way conferencing between lines--sets it apart from the current crop of dual-mode Skype phones.
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Features
VoIP ServicesSkype
Skype
Skype
Skype
Product DescriptionNETGEAR SPH200D - Cordless phone
Linksys iPhone CIT400
Philips VOIP8411B - Cordless phone
GE 28310EE1 W/ call waiting caller ID
DisplayLCD display - Color
LCD display - Color
LCD display - Color
LCD display - Color
SpeakerphoneInfo unavailableYes
Yes ( Digital duplex )
Yes
Display FeaturesBacklit
Backlit
Backlit
Info unavailable
Product TypeCordless phone
Info unavailableCordless phone
W/ call waiting caller ID
Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications
Buying choices