Skype Handset Sheds the PC

A Danish company has begun selling a cordless telephone handset that works with Skype and doesn't require a personal computer.

The DualPhone 3088's base station connects to both a broadband Internet connection for Skype Internet telephony calls and a traditional analog landline connection for making calls over the public switched telephone network.

The maker, RTX Products, says its the first such handset that can connect with Skype without the need for a personal computer to manage the calls. The only requirement for use is that the Internet connection is "always on." Connections that time-out after a period of no use are unsuitable, according to RTX.

However, several vendors have introduced cordless handsets so Skype users need not be physically tethered to their PCs.

Handset Specs, Price

The handset has a color display on which the current Skype status of contacts is displayed. Users have the option of making a Skype call or landline call to the party when their name is selected. It supports Skype PC calls, SkypeOut, SkypeIn, and Voicemail.

The DualPhone will be available in Europe through retailers that distribute RTX products and from December 1 at the company's online store. It $206.

RTX already sells a Skype-compatible cordless phone that requires a PC and a model that doesn't require a PC and works with voice over IP services that conform to the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) standard, but not Skype. Other vendors have introduced handsets for using Skype at Wi-fi hotspots.