STAR TECH
March 12,201)8
Star Tech
If you're an instant
messaging junkie, some
one who has many
out-of-state relatives or
friends, or both, you may
want to check out Skype.
In addition to the
standard IM capabilities,
Skype (which is free to
download) also allows
video sharing and fun
extras like multi-player
games. The coolest fea
ture of Skype is that it
allows users to actually
talk to one another. For
example, I recently talk
ed with my brother who
was in Hong Kong on a
business trip—for FREE!
The secret behind
Skype is Voice Over
Internet Protocol (VOIP),
which uses your internet
connection to call other
Skype users (for free) and
non-Skype users, both
local and long-distance,
for a nominal charge of
$30 per year.
Skype also offers
many ways for users
to stay connected with
out logging on to their
computers. A myriad of
Chelsea
McGiaughlin
Staff Writer
phones are available, and
they run the gamut from
computer plug-in models
to cordless options to the
• newest WiFi phones.
The Netgear WiFi
phone allows for free
unlimited calling to
and from fellow Skype
users (whether on their
computers or their own
Netgear WiFi phones).
This service is dubbed
Skypein, and Skype soft
ware comes pre-loaded
on the phone. In addi
tion to Skypein, the
phone also can make
cheap calls to land lines
and cell phones, includ
ing long-distance and
international service (this
service is SkypeOut).
The phone works any
where within range of
a WiFi hotspot. Users
may opt to purchase a
phone number for their
WiFi phones so non-
Skype users can still call
them, just like a tradi
tional cell phone. Voice
mail is included with
the purchase of a phone
number or may be added
separately. Also included
with the phone is WiFi
radio.
Users of the phone
love the Skypein qual
ity, but complain about
iffy connectivity (since
the phone depends on
the availability of WiFi
networks). Also on the
"needs- upgrading" list
is battery life. Perhaps
an improved version of
the phone will make its
service even better.
Netgear SPH200W
Wi-Fi Skype Phone
ranked third on Time
Magazine's Top 10
Gadgets of-2007. I sus
pect the phone's innova
tive use of WiFi hotspots
secured it among the
coolest tech toys of the
year.
Visit http://www.
skype.com/ to learn more
about Skype's offerings,
download the free soft
ware, buy Skype phones
and other products or
purchase service plans.
Visit http://accessories.
skype.com/servlet/Contr
ollerServlet?Action=Disp
layPage&Env=BASE&Lo
cale=en_US&SiteID=sky
pe&id=ProductDetailsPa
ge&productID=80816800
to view more information
about the Netgear WiFi
phone or to purchase it
for $149.99.
Netgear SPH200W Wi-Fi Skype Phone: Cheap Internet Calling
Photo courtesy http://www.time.eom/time/specials/2007/topl0/arti-
cie/0,30583,1686204 1686305 1690756,OO.html ,.
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The
Staff
herald@meredlth.edu
Editor. Meredith Beeman
beemanme@meredith. edu
Copy Editor
Joy Strickland
Staff Writers
Kaitlin Briggs Anna Britt
Chelsea McGlaughlin Whitney Wilson
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