It almost sounds too good to be true: using Skype without a PC, on the go. Belkin has answered the call by offering a Wi-Fi phone pre-loaded with Skype software. DigitalJournal TV gives you an overview of what's hot and not about Belkin's pet project.
Digital Journal — Skype is known for giving you the ability to make cheap phone calls through your PC. And we all know the mobile benefits of the everyday cellphone. Combine the two and you get the Belkin Skype Wi-Fi Phone, a useful handset for anyone who often phones friends or relatives overseas. As the DigitalJournal TV team discovered, using this Skype-enabled phone will let you make international calls for pennies per minute.
Similar in shape to the common candy-bar phone, the Wi-Fi Phone offers a nice grip to make calls, feeling a bit more rugged than other fancy cells. But its looks are secondary — this gadget is perfect for the road warrior calling internationally. Pre-loaded with Skype software, users connect wirelessly to a Wi-Fi hotspot (found in coffee shops, restaurants and some cities have city-wide coverage). It's a simple process, considering how widespread Wi-Fi has become. You don't need a PC or a Web browser.
The phone costs $179 USD (order from the U.S. or Canada) and a monthly subscriber fee of about $3 gives you unlimited calling.
Impressive voice quality, quick connections and an intuitive interface makes the Belkin phone a worthy contender in the bustling market of "world phones." Is this phone right for your needs? Are you curious how Wi-Fi, Skype and a sleek handset can work together to give you a top-rated gadget?
Watch this episode of Digital Journal TV to learn more.
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