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Skype Now on RadioShack's Holiday ListTMCnet VoIP Minute Watch Columnist
Skype-certified hardware and software products have started selling at approximately 3,500 RadioShack retail establishments around the U.S., as well as on the electronic giant's online store, just in time for this holiday season. The agreement will make RadioShack the first U.S. retailer to offer the Internet phone service. The companies made this retail partnership announcement on Monday morning.
"RadioShack is known for helping make the market for new technologies, and by all indicators Skype is poised to resonate with U.S. customers after experiencing huge success overseas," said Jim Hamilton, RadioShack's senior vice president and chief merchandising officer. "Customers should love how they can cut their phone bill without cutting their phone line, making unlimited free calls to other Skype users around the world." RadioShack is currently selling a Skype Trial Pack; a VoIP Voice Cyberphone K USB Internet phone for Skype; a Linksys Cordless Internet Telephony Kit; a Motorola PC850 Adapter and Bluetooth H500 Headset Kit; and a Logitech USB Headset 250.
The Skype Trial Pack, priced at $4.99 until Dec. 24 and U.S. $9.99 thereafter, is a starter headset with 1/8" plugs which connect into the user's computer's audio and microphone jacks. The kit also includes a card for 30 free SkypeOut minutes.
VoIP Voice Cyberphone K USB Internet phone for Skype retails for U.S. $39.99. The device is silver and it is corded.
The Linksys Cordless Internet Telephony Kit, retailing for U.S. $129.99, comes with a handset, charger and a USB base station that plugs into the user's computer. The cordless device puts the user's Skype contact list on the handset's screen, features an illuminated caller ID screen and a speakerphone.
The Motorola PC850 Adapter and Bluetooth H500 Headset Kit will enable users to roam up to 30 feet from their computers during VoIP calls. The kit retails for U.S. $99.99. Users will be able to set up the device by inserting the PC850 adapter into the USB port of their PC or laptop, and connect the H500 headset via Bluetooth to their PC850 adapter. According to the companies' news release, the Motorola PC850 Adapter and Bluetooth H500 Headset Kit is "the world's first Skype-certified Bluetooth offering."
The Logitech USB Headset 250 retails for U.S. $39.99. It enables users to carry out voice calls, video chat, play multiplayer games and listen to music. The Advanced Digital USB streaming audio provides better clarity with the simplicity of a single USB Plug and Play connection. Its noise-canceling microphone filters out unwanted background noise so listeners can hear you clearly. The adjustable headband and leatherette earpads are built in for comfort and durability.
"Skype is looking at innovative retail channels for distribution, and with 94 percent of the U.S. population living or working within five minutes of a RadioShack, we see them as an ideal partner through which to offer consumers access to Skype accessories," said Saul Klein, Skype's vice president of marketing.
RadioShack
Skype Technologies S.A.
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Johanne Torres is contributing editor for TMCnet and Internet Telephony magazine. To see more articles by Johanne Torres, please visit Johanne Torres' columnist page
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