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Skype Certifies More VoIP DevicesTMCnet VoIP Minute Watch Columnist
Skype Technologies S.A. has been making a lot of noise in the news lately. The VoIP service provider has made announcements left and right about deals with multiple electronics manufacturers in order to certify headsets, wireless phones, and other VoIP devices so they are compatible with Skype's Internet telephony service. The latest to join the group is mobile phone headset manufacturer Aliph of San Francisco, Calif.
Aliph introduced on Thursday the Skype-certified Jawbone PC Edition VoIP communications headset. The device integrates Aliph's military-grade audio processing and product design to eliminate background noise. The device has a metal outer edge that protects the internal electronics, while the inside surface is made of medical-grade plastic to provide a comfortable, soft, and smooth feel on the skin. Jawbone's docking and storage mechanism allows it to fit in a user's pocket enabling better portability. "Jawbone's adaptive technology senses your speech and surroundings to continuously adjust, at a rate of 868 times per second, and achieve flawless sound quality. For you, that means your caller's voice has maximum intelligibility. For your caller, that means noises in your environment are either dramatically reduced or removed entirely. For everyone, it means clearer communications. We are quite excited about the new Jawbone PC Edition because for the first time ever, VoIP users have a portable solution allowing them to talk uninterrupted anywhere that they make calls," said Hosain Rahman, Aliph's president and co-founder.
The device is PC-compatible and uses a USB 1.1- or 2.0-enabled host device and co-located standard 3-conductor 3.5mm mini microphone and headphone plug ports. Included in the box are one Jawbone PC Edition earpiece, a control clip, and three-prong connector (USB, microphone, speaker), a carrying case and a user's guide manual.
The Jawbone PC Edition is expected to be available for purchase this month through Skype's Web store and other outlets for US$79.95, a limited time, special introductory offer.
Skype announced a partnership with Philips Electronics yesterday to introduce a new Internet phone, the VoIP321. The new cordless phone has dual functionality so consumers can make free Skype calls, as well as ordinary landline calls. The Internet phone operates on Digitally Enhanced Cordless Telephone (DECT) technology. This technology enhances the sound and security available in a cordless phone.
The VoIP service provider also made news yesterday when it teamed up with NETGEAR Inc to develop a suite of new products, including the world's first Skype wireless mobile telephone and a router equipped to optimize Skype. NETGEAR's Skype WiFi phone will work wherever a consumer is connected to a wireless Internet access point, be that in a home, office, cafe, open public hotspot, or any open municipal wireless access point being deployed worldwide. The NETGEAR phone is pre-loaded with Skype’s software, ready out-of-the-box to use with a wireless network. Pricing and availability info for the Skype WiFi phone will be released during this year's first quarter.
Aliph
Skype Technologies, S.A.
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