An anonymous reader writes "A new cordless Skype-based VoIP handset will hit Internet and retail stores next week. According to Linksys, the CIT200 handset will allow users to make VoIP phone calls as easily as today's cordless handsets make conventional land line calls. The device uses DECT wireless protocol, claimed to eliminate interference with 2.4GHz phones or devices. It comes with a DECT dongle that plugs into a PC's USB port. It's expected sell for around $130. Initially, Linksys is requiring that the PC run Windows XP or 2000, so no Linux yet." Linksys Debuts Cordless Skype Handset Log in/Create an Account | Top | 157 comments | Search Discussion Display Options Threshold: -1: 157 comments 0: 153 comments 1: 121 comments 2: 82 comments 3: 22 comments 4: 11 comments 5: 8 comments Flat Nested No Comments Threaded Oldest First Newest First Highest Scores First Oldest First (Ignore Threads) Newest First (Ignore Threads) The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way. Can I use the Dongle with *any* DECT-enabled phone (Score:4, Interesting) by webperf (560195) on Wednesday October 12, @02:05AM (#13771403) I've got some spare 'regular' DECT phones.. can I use them instead of the linksys one?and if so .. does anyone know if you can buy the USB dongle seperately? [ Reply to ThisRe:Can I use the Dongle with *any* DECT-enabled ph by eviljolly (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @02:56AMRe:Can I use the Dongle with *any* DECT-enabled ph by hughk (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @03:32AMRe:Can I use the Dongle with *any* DECT-enabled ph by Anonymous Coward (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @03:47AM Re:Can I use the Dongle with *any* DECT-enabled ph (Score:5, Informative) by Pieroxy (222434) on Wednesday October 12, @04:07AM (#13771704) (http://nerds.palmdrive.net/) Here in France, the problem is different. Every DSL ISP is providing you with a "box" (freebox, neufbox, aolbox, etc...) that includes:1. A DSL modem. Unlimited bandwidth (the closest to the DSLAM the better) Up to 20MB/s if you are lucky enough. I get 6MB dn / 600KB up.2. A phone plug. You can plug any regular phone to it. landline national calls are free, others incredibly cheap: US is EUR0.03/minute !!!3. A TV-out (scart + optical out) with ~25 channels (actually 100 but only ~25 are worth something).Plus, when you subscribe to kick out the old national operator, you can transfer your landline number to the box.All that costs me EUR30/month. I don't see VOIP anywhere close to me with such a service. [ Reply to This | ParentRe:Can I use the Dongle with *any* DECT-enabled ph by Pieroxy (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @04:11AMRe:Open your eyes and you will see VoIP. by Pieroxy (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @11:07AM1 reply beneath your current threshold.I call *baloney* - better phones available already by B747SP (Score:3) Wednesday October 12, @04:08AM1 reply beneath your current threshold. VOIP is still not worth it. (Score:3, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 12, @02:06AM (#13771404) Why should I go to a service that 1) requires me to own a computer, 3) requires me to have a broadband conection, 3) is dependent on my electricity not going out, and 3) requires me to purchase an expensive phone when I could simply get Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS - with better sound quality and no dropouts) for a mere $8 monthly (yes, that's really what I pay)?At the price VOIP costs, I might as well just get a cell phone, and not be tethered to only being able to use it in my home. [ Reply to ThisRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by Cruithne (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @02:26AMRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by hb253 (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @09:28AMRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by CreatureComfort (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @10:32AM Re:VOIP is still not worth it. (Score:4, Insightful) by Trejkaz (615352) on Wednesday October 12, @02:38AM (#13771491) (http://trypticon.org/) It's all about cost of investment vs. ongoing costs. Phone calls are a great deal cheaper on VOIP, especially if you regularly make calls internationally, or even interstate.But that being said, forking out for something which just runs Skype is a waste of money, because you miss out on free calls to the much larger number of accounts using the (more standard) SIP. That is, unless Skype have properly opened up their SIP interface lately and not informed Slashdot. :-) [ Reply to This | Parent Re:VOIP is still not worth it. (Score:5, Insightful) by DARKFORCE123 (525408) on Wednesday October 12, @02:40AM (#13771496) Why should I go to a service that 1) requires me to own a computer, 3) requires me to have a broadband conection, 3) is dependent on my electricity not going out, and 3) requires me to purchase an expensive phone when I could simply get Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS - with better sound quality and no dropouts) for a mere $8 monthly (yes, that's really what I pay)?Well lets see:1. Skype is free with other skype users so that means unlimited worldwide calls. How much do you think your $8 phone plan with the default long distance provider is going to charge for a call from the US to India?2. Your local plan will probably still charge you for local extended calls so enjoying calling the place across the street from you for free but you'll get charged in 6 second increments for everything else. 3. Most people own a computer that has USB support4. A lot of people have broadband.5. A one time cost of $130 is not excessive.6. Skypeout is extremely cheap when you need to call regular folk with their own line. I bet I can call a lot of far off places for awhile on that $8 you spend just keeping the phone line active. [ Reply to This | ParentRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by LDoggg_ (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @12:15PMRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by Kancept (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @02:53PM1 reply beneath your current threshold. Re:VOIP is still not worth it. (Score:5, Interesting) by eclectro (227083) on Wednesday October 12, @03:20AM (#13771600) Yeah, I used to pay $35 a month for POTS (and that's as low as it got) and I get a skype-in number for a YEAR for what it cost me ONE month with POTS.So I am saving $385 dollars plus I don't get all the crap calls I was receiving before.VOIP is VERY worth it. [ Reply to This | ParentRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by OverlordQ (Score:3) Wednesday October 12, @09:53AMRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by berj (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @10:12AMRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by Alaster (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @10:13AM Re:VOIP is still not worth it. (Score:4, Insightful) by Solder Fumes (797270) on Wednesday October 12, @03:25AM (#13771613) You only pay $8? Strange, in order to get a phone line with just Caller ID and Voicemail, my phone bill was cracking $40. And that was before any calls, or any long distance. I got my first bill, then immediately signed up with Vonage. Now I pay $25 for dozens of services I'd never afford on a standard line, and use every day. Plus I don't pay any long distance charges.Of course, if you have no one to call, it doesn't seem very impressive. [ Reply to This | ParentRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by Spaceman Spiff II (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @04:00AMRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by OverlordQ (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @09:51AMRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by robca2 (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @10:01AMRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by davidphogan74 (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @12:52PMRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by Anonymous Coward (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @04:14AMRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by blackest_k (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @04:27AMRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by Zone-MR (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @05:32AMRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by blackest_k (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @05:59AMRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by Hektor_Troy (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @04:40AMRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by fbsderr0r (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @07:41AMRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by Lumpy (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @04:43AM1 reply beneath your current threshold.Re:VOIP is still not worth it. by Professor_UNIX (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @08:27AM1 reply beneath your current threshold.Re:VOIP is still not worth it. by xero9 (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @10:37AMRe:VOIP is still not worth it. by michelcultivo (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @07:56PM2 replies beneath your current threshold. Welcome to another let down by the FCC. (Score:5, Informative) by TechyImmigrant (175943) * on Wednesday October 12, @02:06AM (#13771408) (https://www.deadhat.com/) DECT is and area where the FCC has let you down.In Europe, the EEC set aside spectrum (1900Mhz) for the purpose of running DECT. The protocol is neat, it does TDD, pi/4 DQPSK and phones have enough smarts to share the spectrum amongst themselves without interfering.In the USA, your cordless phones are thrown to the dogs in the unlicensed bands. No predetermined spectrum for the application, so phones have to fight it out at 2.4 and 5Ghz with 802.11, microwave ovens and anything else that uses the band. Better still, since there is no uniform standard for interoperability, your handset will only work with the base it came with and not with another manufacturer's.DECT in 2.4Ghz (achieved with frequency hopping, so it's not true DECT) does interfere with 802.11. I've done the tests. I've designed both DECT silicon and 802.11 silicon and I can assure you they interfere when they share the same unlicensed band. [ Reply to This Re:Welcome to another let down by the FCC. (Score:5, Informative) by TechyImmigrant (175943) * on Wednesday October 12, @02:15AM (#13771434) (https://www.deadhat.com/) Someone else will probably point this out, but this year the FCC did in fact approve a band for DECT in the US. Not the same one as in Europe, so the same gear doesn't work and it's ooh.. about 10 years too late. [ Reply to This | ParentRe:Welcome to another let down by the FCC. by Mr2001 (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @06:21AMRe:Welcome to another let down by the FCC. by dascandy (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @05:14AM One step forward...... (Score:5, Funny) by daemonenwind (178848) on Wednesday October 12, @02:09AM (#13771416) Back in the day, my girlfriend had a Motorola cell phone. The phone + battery was the size of a purse and needed to stay plugged into the cigarette lighter of her car to work. The signal was pretty spotty, too.A few weeks ago, I bought a Sanyo cell phone from Sprint. It can stay on for several days with light talking, and is easily pocket-sized. I have 700 prime-time minutes a month, and unlimited calls after 7 and on weekends for about 50USD/month. Coverage is excellent anywhere I take it.Today, the latest advancement in phone technology is a phone with a minimum 6 pound battery/transceiver combo, and unlimited calling provided I have a non-existant wimax connection, or spotty service from the nearest Starbucks?What a country! [ Reply to ThisRe:One step forward...... by x.Draino.x (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @02:59AM2 replies beneath your current threshold. Haven't these been around? (Score:3, Interesting) by THotze (5028) on Wednesday October 12, @02:09AM (#13771418) (http://www.studentism.org/) I can seem to remember Skype selling phones (one corded, one cordless) that would work with a PC via Windows and USB - but I think the cordless one wasn't available in North America.Still, although WAY to expensive for me to pay for a handset, I might actually consider buying one - especially as Skype adds more countries for SkypeIn. Two things, though:1) how hard would it be to make drivers for Linux and Mac OS X?2) Isn't this a problem just WAITING for Bluetooth? I mean, couldn't you make a Bluetooth handset? It wouldn't be very different from a bluetooth hands-free device, all you'd really need to add would be some kind of communication for the caller display and the dial pad. And then you wouldn't need the USB dongle - saves a USB port, makes it more practical for laptop users, etc.      The obvious limit of this is the highly limited range of Bluetooth - much less than a 2.4GHz cordless phone.Tim [ Reply to ThisActually, Bluetooth isn't so bad by Trejkaz (Score:3) Wednesday October 12, @02:41AMRe:Haven't these been around? by gl4ss (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @02:58AMRe:Haven't these been around? by jdonnis (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @07:57AM1 reply beneath your current threshold. I hate computers (Score:2, Insightful) by ReformedExCon (897248) <reformed.excon@gmail.com> on Wednesday October 12, @02:10AM (#13771419) I hate them for trying to do all the things that other things already do better.I hate Windows Media Center.I hate things that require my computer be on to work.I want a cordless VoIP handset that doesn't need a computer. Ideally, I'd like to have a wireless VoIP handset that doesn't need a localized base station (something along the lines of cellular, but with free long distance).I don't want to sit in front of my computer when I use the phone. I don't want to sit in front of my computer when I want to watch TV. I don't want my computer to be on.The computer is a great tool for what it does, but the dominant paradigm seems to be to build more functionality into this heavy hunk of metal rather than build up the functionality of smaller, better-suited devices. [ Reply to ThisRe:I hate computers by csirac (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @02:23AMRe:I hate computers by DingerX (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @04:26AMRe:I hate computers by Paul Jakma (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @08:02AMRe:I hate computers by aussie_a (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @02:42AMRe:I hate computers by ReformedExCon (Score:3) Wednesday October 12, @03:08AMRe:I hate computers by Slashdiddly (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @02:51AMRe:I hate computers by Brunellus (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @09:37AMCordless VOIP by rodgster (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @03:24AMRe:I hate computers by heelios (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @08:26AMRe:I hate computers by jdeluise (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @01:01PM2 replies beneath your current threshold. Use real VoIP and this has been around forever (Score:5, Interesting) by terminal.dk (102718) on Wednesday October 12, @02:14AM (#13771433) (http://www.terminal.dk/) If you use real VoIP, for which there is a provider on every corner, and ones like Sipphone.com, Vonage etc operates in the USA, there IP wireless phones has been around forever. And with voipbuster.com european phone calls to real telephone is free.And if you like most people using VoIP is having an adapter box, you can talk even when the computer is turned off, and you can use a standard $20 DECT telephone with the box. And I had the "skype in" equivalent from before skype announced it.I do not understand this wow about skype. It is bloatware (requires the PC to be on), quality supposedly sucks etc. I looked at it, and dismissed it as a closed network of old technology. But again, I want things that works, is cheap, and I do not care if 15 year olds can use if for filesharing. [ Reply to ThisRe:Use real VoIP and this has been around forever by Sanity (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @04:58AMRe:Use real VoIP and this has been around forever by don.g (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @02:11PM1 reply beneath your current threshold.Re:Use real VoIP and this has been around forever by Khyber (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @08:52AMRe:Use real VoIP and this has been around forever by b0bby (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @09:21AMRe:Use real VoIP and this has been around forever by XSforMe (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @10:02AMRe:Use real VoIP and this has been around forever by Spirilis (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @10:22AM My family will convert (Score:3, Insightful) by DigiShaman (671371) on Wednesday October 12, @02:22AM (#13771447) (http://www.contoso.com/) Everyone in my family has a PC with broadband. Now I just need to get everyone one of these phones and setup a free skype to spype account. Then, everyone can just pick up the phone and make direct calls as though they were using the local teleco system.I've been waiting for something like this to come out. Now I have. If Linksys makes this easy to use, I expect this to really sting the vonage and lingo customer base in the next few years. [ Reply to This Encryption? (Score:2) by Doppler00 (534739) on Wednesday October 12, @02:24AM (#13771453) (http://slashdot.org/ | Last Journal: Saturday July 24, @03:08AM) Does this device have end to end strong encryption to prevent anyone from easdropping on your conversation? If not, than who cares? Why can't we get something so simple to implement on products like this?Utilizes voice encryption for high securityThis is only good if it's encrypted from one phone directly to another and only if you trust the fingerprint of the call coming in. [ Reply to ThisRe:Encryption? by aussie_a (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @02:45AMRe:Encryption? by FinestLittleSpace (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @04:18AMRe:Encryption? by Doppler00 (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @08:39PMRe:Encryption? by usheletz (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @06:49AMRe:Encryption? by ajs318 (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @07:50AM Wireless Radio (Score:1) by davidbofinger (703269) on Wednesday October 12, @02:28AM (#13771467) The DECT wireless radio Is there such a thing as non-wireless radio? [ Reply to ThisRe:Wireless Radio by Anonymous Coward (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @02:39AMRe:Wireless Radio by m00j (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @02:49AMRe:Wireless Radio by MrFlannel (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @03:12AMRe:Wireless Radio by houghi (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @03:32AM Why is it only a VOIP Skype handset? (Score:2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 12, @02:31AM (#13771473) At first glance, and being a product from linksys I assumed this had the Skype technology built in and you just plug it into your network. That would just make sense. It looks like you need to run Skype on the PC though.Why not make this just a wireless microphone/speaker for your PC with the ability to launch apllications and press keys. Then you could use it as a phone for ANY other voice application...teamspeak, MSN, Goodle talk, Skype, etc. [ Reply to This1 reply beneath your current threshold. Requires PC? Skype? Yawn... (Score:5, Insightful) by bobcat7677 (561727) on Wednesday October 12, @02:34AM (#13771479) (http://www.stillsound.net/) When I first read the headline I got excited...but then it turned out to be a huge letdown. We VOIP users have been waiting for a good mainstream SIP based Wifi handset for a long time now and having one from Linksys would have been great. But this is nothing of the sort. Just yet another "dongle" for your PC for making PC to PC calls. You are still tethered to your PC (just through a wireless tether) meaning it has the cool factor but is not practical for most real-world users to replace their traditional cordless phone. Come up with a SIP standard device that uses my existing Wi-fi access point and can support multiple access point profiles and then you will have something. [ Reply to ThisRe:Requires PC? Skype? Yawn... by mcrbids (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @03:22AMRe:Requires PC? Skype? Yawn... by Pretor (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @03:44AMRe:Requires PC? Skype? Yawn... by bobcat7677 (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @12:59PMRe:Requires PC? Skype? Yawn... by armondf (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @03:44AM Too expensive (Score:2) by aussie_a (778472) on Wednesday October 12, @02:37AM (#13771490) (http://gutterflycomix.com/thequeensland | Last Journal: Friday February 11, @05:09AM) I think I'll stick with my landline phone for now. To buy a phone that will only work with one particular proprietry network, which I have to pay for voice mail with, along with every call I make except those few I make to other Skype users, I'm not going to be saving money anytime soon (depending on phone making habits).If I do decide to go for a VOIP system, I'll do so with one that fits my needs (and is preferably open source), not the most popular one. [ Reply to ThisNot that expensive by BobPaul (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @10:33AMAny should be many by BobPaul (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @10:38AM Pocket PC (Score:2, Insightful) by linsys (793123) <(moc.cesnoisurtni) (ta) (sysnil)> on Wednesday October 12, @02:58AM (#13771541) (http://www.intrusionsec.com/) For those who don't know, you can download a PocketPC version of Skype and put it on a Wifi enabled PDA with PocketPC so you can use skype wirelessly with no computer having to be turned on just your PocketPC..Also since there is a linux client, you can also run this on a PDA that runs linux...I would rather invest my money in having a WiFi Enabled PocketPC PDA/Cellphone which runs skype so I can make free calls from home to other skype users, as well as use my cell phone functions for local calls from Non Skype Users..This is the BEST way to use skype In My Opinion. [ Reply to ThisRe:Pocket PC by updatelee (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @03:29AMa PDA that runs linux by wiredog (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @08:15AM1 reply beneath your current threshold. What about support for Mac OS X? (Score:2, Insightful) by Kunt (755109) on Wednesday October 12, @03:10AM (#13771570) "Initially, Linksys is requiring that the PC run Windows XP or 2000, so no Linux yet."What about support for the second biggest platform, Mac OS X? [ Reply to This1 reply beneath your current threshold. There are others available (Score:3, Informative) by _Laban_ (166315) <<laban> <at> <krakpot.net>> on Wednesday October 12, @03:16AM (#13771590) (http://krakpot.net/) The TopCom Butler 4012 USB [topcom.net] has been around for a while and it features Skype and regular PSTN communication in the same unit. It's also a wireless DECT phone and is sold for around 800SEK [kjell.com] (circa 102USD) in Sweden. [ Reply to This What the hell is the use if it needs a PC? (Score:1) by Tanami (601011) on Wednesday October 12, @03:20AM (#13771598) Especially when there are loads of products out there which can do the job standalone, either as handsets, or boxes which will take an ordinary analogue phone (including DECT).Just one picked at random, but this [zyxel.com] seems like a far more sensible approach...? [ Reply to This Without PC? (Score:2) by DaneelGiskard (222145) on Wednesday October 12, @03:48AM (#13771661) (http://www.unfolded.com) Ok...and now please the same thing, but without a PC. I want it to directly talk to my wireless router ... [ Reply to This Been around for awhile (Score:2, Informative) by SirSnapperHead (854099) on Wednesday October 12, @03:56AM (#13771680) I bought one of these a few months ago: http://www.skypejournal.com/blog/archives/2005/08/ i_like_going_co.php [skypejournal.com] and am very satisfied. Two buttons so you can choose to dial via landline or Skype, and with the Skype In number I can receive calls like a normal landline... [ Reply to ThisRe:Been around for awhile by usheletz (Score:1) Wednesday October 12, @05:54AM I've got a better one (Score:2) by macemoneta (154740) on Wednesday October 12, @04:54AM (#13771827) My cordless phone has a range of about 3000 miles, and I don't need my PC on! The handset is free, and I can make all the night, weekend and phone-to-phone (on net) calls I want at no extra charge. For other calls, I just pay for a block of minutes allocated monthly. It's so cool! I'm not tethered to my PC anymore for calls!Seriously, get a cell phone. It's 2005 for goodness sake. [ Reply to This1 reply beneath your current threshold. Hmmm... (Score:2) by Goth Biker Babe (311502) on Wednesday October 12, @04:55AM (#13771831) (http://www.cyberspice.org.uk/ | Last Journal: Thursday February 26, @11:59AM) I use ADSL so I already have a phone line. The phone line comes in to the house and in to it are plugged an ADSL router modem and a DECT base station. There are no phone lines beyond that point. A single network cable goes to the servers and WiFi router. Three people live in this house at at their desks they each have a DECT handset and charger next to their computers. There's also a common one downstairs. It cost us about $100 for the full four handset DECT package. After line rental (which we have to pay because of the ADSL) our call charges on the landline are just a few dollars a month since we all have cells too.I can't see the point of VOIP yet for the home user who inevitably either gets their phone with their cable, or gets their internet down their phone. [ Reply to ThisRe:Hmmm... by Goth Biker Babe (Score:2) Wednesday October 12, @02:14PM1 reply beneath your current threshold. Siemens already sells something like this (Score:2) by knarf (34928) on Wednesday October 12, @04:59AM (#13771837) (http://www.unternet.org/) In Europe, Siemens sells the Gigaset M34 USB adapter [siemens.com] which lets you use a number of DECT handsets for VoIP. The adapter comes with a (customised) version of Skype. I have not tried this thing yet but I might give it a go, given that I've been using a DECT phone for several years now. Not with Skype though, as I'd rather use something standards-based (ie. a SIP phone like Linphone [linphone.org] or the upcoming SIP-enabled version of GnomeMeeting [gnomemeeting.org]). [ Reply to This Siemens (Score:1) by eoinmadden (769606) on Wednesday October 12, @05:08AM (#13771854) Siemens already offer [skype.com] a USB Skype dongle in Europe to communicate with their Gigaset DECT phones. [ Reply to This Skype is history (Score:3, Informative) by dybdahl (80720) <info@dybdahl . d k> on Wednesday October 12, @05:09AM (#13771857) (http://www.dybdahl.dk/ | Last Journal: Monday November 25, @07:23PM)