Originally published February 12 2006
Accton to launch two Wi-Fi phones for VoIP
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Wi-Fi handsets from Accton allow users to make VoIP calls without a computer, as long as they are connected to a wireless access point. Up until now, all VoIP phones have been attached to computers. The handsets will cost about $100 to $150.
Taiwan's Accton plans to launch two wireless handsets by the middle of February that allow users to place calls over the internet at little or no cost, potentially beating US rival Netgear to market with the first Wi-Fi phones designed for VoIP (voice over IP).
Wi-Fi handsets put a new twist on internet phone calling by freeing users from having to carry around a notebook PC in order to make a VoIP call.
Existing phones designed for Skype and other VoIP services must be connected to a computer.
Accton's other phone, the VM1188T VoWi-Fi, isn't designed for Skype but will also allow users to place internet phone calls using Wi-Fi.
The handsets will cost around $100 to $150 (about �55 to �85) each, said Alan Ma, a sales manager at Accton, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Both phones work with the 802.11b/g Wi-Fi standards and can manage four hours of talk time or 80 hours of standby time before needing a recharge, according to Accton.
The company plans to offer a recharge cradle for the handsets that doubles as a Wi-Fi access point.
During CES, Netgear and Skype jointly announced a Wi-Fi phone designed with Skype software built in.
A Netgear representative at the electronics show said pricing information was not yet available.
Users of Skype's popular software can make free domestic and international voice calls, as well as chat and hold conference calls with other Skype users anywhere in the world.
Calls to landlines require a small fee.
Last September, internet auction website eBay agreed to pay $2.6bn (�1.5bn) to acquire Skype in a deal the companies billed as a way for Skype to expand its user base.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml