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Skype handsets for Mac OS X

Ivan's picture

I've tried to get help at the Skype forums, but got none.

Here is the deal. Skype offers free or super cheap international calls. I make a lot of those, but I don't like to sit in front of the computer.

Option 1 - Wired handset: I can see that there is a handset available that is wired and is integrated with Skype. But, I don't really see the point of this because I would have to sit in front of my Mac still to make a call. Using a headset with mic is actually better than a phone... so this is BS in my opinion.

Option 2 - Wireless handset: I seem to remember that there is a device that plugs into my Mac and the phone via USB or Ethernet and enables my wireless landline phone to operate Skype on my Mac. So, basically I call through the computer with my regular wireless handset using a code such as ## instead of 00 for international calls. But, I can't seem to find info about such a product and I don't know if anyone with a Mac have tried it...

Option 3 - Mobile handset: The utlimate solution would be of course to have Skype running on my mobile handset that I can take with me anywhere and not need to be close to my Mac. I don't know if such a thing exist, but if it doesn't somebody has to invent it ASAP! Theoretically it can be done. Mobiles have GPRS and 3G internet connections, which supposed to be enough bandwidth for Skypeout calls. Also, they can run Java applications. So if Skype was available on Java for mobiles there is nothing to stop people making calls though the internet using their mobiles. What thinks?

afterglow's picture

Motorola have agreed to

Motorola have agreed to integrate Skype into their future handsets to hand over the call to wifi when in a hotspot. I'd say there's still a lot of technical issues to sort out and the carriers wouldn't be too happy about it but it is coming

afterglow.ie - Icons, interfaces, illustration

dhayn's picture

I've been wrestling with the

I've been wrestling with the same problem for a while now. I have a USB headset that I use now and it works rather well and also a bluetooth headset. The bluetooth headset is great obviously because it's wireless but it limits you to 30 feet and you're lucky if you get close to that. Also bluetooth and wifi are on the same frequency.

I bought the other ipevo phone about a month ago. now they have this one with mac software. The "phone" I have is so light that they put a weight in it to make it heavier.

I don't think they make such a thing for option 2 yet, I think only for Windows. As for option 3, the latest beta of skype lets you do call forwarding. That could help with at least your incoming calls by forwarding them to your mobile.

dhayn's picture

I forgot you were looking

I forgot you were looking for this when I saw the new stuff from CES:

skype wifi phone

the last one shown there is a netgear phone that connects directly to a wifi access point.

Me, I'm still saving the pennies for an I-Mate phone or the new Windows mobile Treo that will run the Pocket PC version of Skype. Although I don't know if I can bring myself to run Windows anything anymore.

Ivan's picture

sweet! thanks a lot!

sweet! thanks a lot!

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