A VoIP Gadget finally? The 3 Skypephone

Written: December 21st, 2007 by Dave
Posted in VOIP |

You’d think there were no eye-candy gadgets in the VoIP world?

Wrong!

Skype just released the 3 SkypePhone, and it’s really a beauty.

Aesthetically, there’s much to love about it that even our female friends want one. It has a candy bar form factor, and it comes in three colors: White/Blue, White/Pink, and Black.

I never knew VoIP would one day turn into a gadget frontier, but this surely dispels the notion that VoIP is clunky and will remain a PC-only frontier.

So what sets the 3 Skypephone apart?

Its promo page says:

“Use Skype while you’re walking to work, sitting in the park or queuing for football tickets. Free yourself from your computer with 3 Skypephone.”

Err, so?

If you use Skype extensively for business, as an Instant Messaging solution or if it’s how you conduct your international business deals, then you won’t need to bring around a clunky laptop just to get online and use Skype.

3 Mobile has integrated Skype in its network that you won’t need an Internet connection to be able to use Skype. Just press the big friendly Skype button in the middle of the cute (as my female friends would say it) Skypephone, and you’re on your way to calling for free. It comes with two payment plans for 3 Mobile: “Pay as you go” or “Monthly contract.”

With “Pay as you go,” you can get the 3 Skypephone for £49.99 or $98.65 at the current exchange rate. If you want to go for a monthly contract, there are plans at £12, £15, £18, £21, £24, and £27. The plan is priced according to the minutes included in the plan. For more information, go here.

Here are the specs for the 3 Skypephone:

• Weight: 86g.
• Size: 100 x 44 x 13.6 mm.
• Battery Standby: 320 Hours.
• Battery Talk Time: 270 Minutes.
• Battery Video Talk Time: 170 Minutes.
• Screen Size: 2.0” QCIF (176 x 220).
• Colour: 262K.
• Internal Memory: 16 MB.
• External Memory: expandable to 1GB micro SD.

And its box includes:

• Handset.
• Battery 1150mAh.
• Battery cover (magnetic).
• Personal stereo hands free kit.
• USB cable.
• Mains charger.
• CD–ROM for PC connection.
• 256MB micro SD memory card (no adapter).
• 3 user guide.
• Quick start guide for Skype.

And now, for the burning question:

Do I need WiFi access to use Skype on 3 Skypephone?

Skype’s Knowledgebase Says:

No, 3 Skypephone does not need WiFi to use Skype and does not have WiFi capabilities.

Skype without your computer or WiFi. Sweet.