CES: Topcom and Skype

CES: Topcom and Skype

Belgian retailer Topcom.net pitched their Webt@lker 5000 desktop phone.

• Embedded Skype.
• Plugs into your Ethernet connection.
• 3.4 inch color display.
• Handsfree speaker/microphone.
• Echo cancellation for the handset.
• Skype Certified (although there is no Skype web page listing officially certified products for confirmation.)
• Coming to some markets in April 2007, followed by a wi-fi expansion kit in Q2.

Like
most of these desktop units, the software is all Skype. So they compete
on fashion, price, physical design, packaging, convenience,
reliability, and distribution. I haven't one yet, but it
looks very easy to set up and use.

Can you compare Skype
desktop phones to other desktop phones? simple tasks are
hard or impossible do with the Skype phones:

• Multiple lines
• Transferring a call
• One button redial
• Intercom
• On-The-Phone status shared within an office
• Speed dial buttons

Some
common Skype tasks (like presence controls or search)
aren't showing up in hardware. touch-screens might be a
natural for a desktop phone.

Skype Journal: CES: Topcom and Skype

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