IPEVO S0-20 WiFi Phone for Skype
by Ipevo
Our Price: $299.95
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Category: CE
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: IpevoModel: CSPN-01IP
Product features:
- From locating contacts, making calls to reviewing call history, all the great features of Skype are right at your fingertips
- Support all standard wireless network encryption protocols, including WPA, WPA2 and WEP (equivalent to wired LAN security levels).
- Imports Skype contacts, and fully integrates SkypeIn, Voicemail, and SkypeOut features
- Skype-certified, with easy-to-use Skype interface on a large, bright screen
- Support all standard wireless network encryption protocols, including WPA, WPA2 and WEP (equivalent to wired LAN security levels)
- Compact cordless Skype phone; enjoy Internet calling without a computer
- AmazonBasics RJ45 Cat5e Ethernet Patch Cable (14 Feet/4.2 Meters)
- AmazonBasics RJ45 Cat5e Ethernet Patch Cable (50 Feet/15.2 Meters)
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of IPEVO S0-20 WiFi Phone for Skype
Customer Review: Best STAND-ALONE Skype phone, period.
Summary: 5 Stars
This IPEVO S0-20 wireless phone is the best Skype standalone phone you can use without a computer. If you don't mind having to use a computer, IPEVEO USB handsets (model names: Free.2 or Free.1) offers the very best voice quality, and integrate with some programs that run on your computer; iTunes automatically pauses music during Skype calls, and you can dial Skype from within your address book. Check out IPEVO FREE.2 USB Handset for SKYPE with LCD Screen (and check out my review http://www.amazon.com/IPEVO-FREE-2-Handset-SKYPE-Screen/product-reviews/B000SSG364/ref=cm_cr_dp_synop?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending#R1AFZPC0LYT9MZ) and
IPEVO FREE.1 USB Handset for SKYPE, which is the same as above but without the LCD on the handset.
S0-20 is a very small, well made Skype phone that connects to the internet via Wi-Fi and has Skype software built-in. The phone looks and feels like a cell phone from 10 years ago, but the voice quality is about comparable to landline phone or best possible cellular phone today. However, if you are having a Skype-to-Skype calls, not Skype-to-phone calls, you will probably appreciate extra voice quality of IPEVO Free.2 USB handset.
(Standalone Skype phones currently use an older voice coding technology, while Skype software on computers use the latest SILK codec technology, which offers clearer voice quality. The codec is a part of the Skype engine that Skype company provides to the device manufacturers.)
One option many people contemplate trying before SO-20 is to use Skype software on iPhone or iPod Touch. Although I used a very good microphone for iPod Touch, the voice quality of iPod based Skype is noticeably inferior to S0-20. The iPod Skype sounds very choppy, like early days of cell phone used inside buildings. This is again, the difference in the voice codec and compression strategy. iPod based Skype software tries to compress the voice further to minimize the Wifi communication traffic to conserve the battery usage. Overall, SO-20 is a clear winner here, as it offers better voice quality and it is also much easier to use.
As others noted, SO-20 works with unprotected Wifi access points and those protected by password only. It does not work with the type of access points that require you to sign in on a browser (e.g., many wireless AP at coffee houses and hotels), or those that require proprietary software such as Boingo. This is the limiting factor of this phone's usability outside your office or home. Don't expect to use it as if it were a cell phone despite many free wifi spots around these days in some cities. Ideally, IPEVO should incorporate Boingo software in this phone, so you can use it in coffee shops, hotels and airports.
Now, let's look at some aspects that I wish SO-20 to improve in the next generation model.
I wish SO-20 had a keyboard lock and a vibrator, so that I can keep it in my pocket while I'm working in my studio, kitchen, etc. As I noted above, this phone is not something useful to keep in pocket when leaving house or work, so I don't mind the phone to be a bit larger. I'd rather have it in a Blackberry-like body with full keyboard, so that I could have a Skype chat as well. Also, built-in Opera browser and Boingo software would be awesome. Then, why not speaker phone? Ideally, I want a PDA centered around Skype.
The SO-20 phone uses 2.5mm 4-connection (3 rings and the tip) plug for a headset. I wish they used a 3-connection plug (more common for telephone headsets) or 3.5mm 4-connection plug (used among Blackberries and iPhones).
Disclosure of interest: I received an evaluation model of IPEVO S0-20 from IPEVO. However, prior to using S0-20, I bought Free.2 with my money and loved it as you can tell with my other review, if that counts.
Description of IPEVO S0-20 WiFi Phone for Skype
Operate via a Wi-Fi wireless Internet connection. This gives you the freedom to make Skype calls when you connect to a secure or open Wi-Fi network (that does not require browser-based login or authentication).No computer required. It is a much simpler and comfortable way to make and receive Skype calls, without having to sacrifice the benefits of Skype's free and low-cost services.Digital Cameras and Photo Categories
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