Selecting a USB Phone

There are 42 million active Skype users in the world and 15 million users using Skype at any given moment. So it is natural that you want to use Skype too.  Whether it is to keep up with the Jones’s, speak regularly with someone who is far away, or just get rid of your landline telephone charges, softphones, such as Skype, are growing by leaps and bounds every day.

When deciding to sign up for a Skype account (or using another softphone client), you must have a speaker and a microphone attached to your computer.  When I first signed up, I assumed my netbook had these things, but in fact it only had a speaker, so I could hear people but they couldn’t hear me.  My first two weeks on Skype I only used it for its Instant Message capability for that reason.  Then I got the FreeTalk USB Skype headset so I was able to speak and be heard again (regardless of what anyone said, they missed not hearing me!)

If you plan to be an infrequent softphone user, one or two calls a day, you may choose to simply invest in a USB headset similar to the FreeTalk Everyman that I use. It is a simple plug and play binaural headset with a rotating boom microphone. The sound is clear, the headset is pretty comfortable, and it is only $29.99.   Perfect.

However, if you plan on using your softphone or Skype to replace your normal landline or office phone, you may be interested in a USB phone with a more familiar interface and a few more features.

• If using your softphone for mostly desk-driven business purposes, you may be most comfortable with a traditional look and feel deskphone such as the Belkin Desktop Skype phone.  This black desktop corded IP phone is certified to work with Skype and has the look and feel of a traditional analog or entry level IP deskphone. It features caller id, call waiting, mute, conference phone, and a call timer.  It’s black upright design will make you feel right at home with this newer technology.

• If you are more of the laptop type person who will still be relying heavily on their softphone but won’t necessarily be at the same desk all the time, you may prefer something a little smaller and more mobile.  There are 2 models I would recommend. If you prefer the familiar old feeling of holding a phone up to your ear and you don’t want anyone around you hearing you, try the Jabra Dial 520. This inexpensive USB phone has all the look and feel of your simple cell phone with a USB cord so you can plug it in and make calls from anywhere you can use your laptop.  Easy as pie.

• If you are more a roamer and see yourself using your IP Softphone in hotel rooms or in your car and see more use for a speakerphone that a handheld, the IPEVO TR-10i is for you.  This phone integrates seamlessly with Skype or iChat and allows for call mute, volume up and down, and local call recording.  At a price point of under $45, you will start to reap the savings of using a softphone right away.

• If you are a home user and want the convenience of your home wireless phone with the cheapness of Skype or another IP Softphone, you may want to try the IPEVO S0-20.  This is a wireless WiFi phone that when the base is plugged into the USB port of your PC will automatically detect all networks and connect to the network you prefer. It will automatically connect to your Skype account and input your contacts and Skype credits.  So easy, and in an interface that you have grown accustomed to. The So-20 is a definite ‘must-have’ for the non-technical home user who wants to be done with expensive land line bills.

USB phones are being used everywhere… home, office, car, hotel, Starbucks.  If you know when and where you will be using it, it is very easy to choose one that will be absolutely perfect and make you fall in love with the phone all over again.