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USRobotics USB Internet Phone 9601A
by gfeef
This USB phone is the same model as the Sogatel model if you are finding confusion between the two. It is compatible with most versions of windows and works without the installation of any software (plus and play). You are recommended to install 'Skypemate' - a little box that pops up and then sits in your icon bar. It doesn't slow the ... computer down and apart from being one way to control the sound volumes I ignore it. The program does allow you to use the skype controls from the phone display though which can be helpful. warning though if you plus the phone is while running open skype windows then skypemate can cause them to freeze.
To the phone itself. It's a neat little thing, nothing flashy or expensive looking, with a 2 meter long cable to a standard USB port. I've been using it for some months and though the sound quality isn't perfect it's better than a floating headset mic, both for me and the other end. Just having a phone to hold also feels more natural. I use mine almost entirely for Skype, the purpose it's designed for. To be honest i don't use the buttons on the handset, other than hang up, for most of my calls. The number buttons are quite small and I've not taken to them very well, but i do occasionally scroll down the contacts when someone else is on the computer besides me. Calls like this aren't too wonderful though with a 2 meter cable being a little on the short side.
Would I recommend it, yes. The noise suppression means that is ok, the cost great, and the easy of use - dumb proof!
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USRobotics USB Internet Phone 9600
by aled99
This is a brilliant phone to use with skype. It saves all the messing around with microphones and speakers, and allows you to use skype as if you were talking with a normal phone, although still tied to your computer.
The handset simply plugs into your computer via usb and you can use it as a microphone and speaker for skype. ... To use the buttons on the phone and the display you will need to install the drivers. I downloaded skypemate, which makes the phone work properly. The arrow keys on the handset are for moving around the menus in skype, and you can select a contact and then use the green phone button (below the arrow keys) to call the select contact.
In standby the time and date are shown on the display. While in a call the call duration/ status is shown. The call quality is ok. The speaker sounds a little tinny, but at adjust the volume (using the up/ down keys while calling) to normal volume and it is very audible and clear. The microphone is better, and when I tested calling the 9600 (with a friend) the call quality was good, and sounded like a normal phone.
I did have a slight problem installing skypemate. It seemed to get confused if it was started after skype, and the handset had to be unplugged and then plugged back in, to make it work properly. This problem was quite hard to solve, but I adjusted the startup order on my pc to ensure skypemate was started before skype and I've had no further problems.
Overall this is a reasonable phone. It is a bit limiting that you still have to use your pc to make skype calls. For anyone looking to buy a Skype phone for regular use might want to consider a phone that doesn't require a pc and/ or is cordless.
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USRobotics USB Internet Phone 9600A
by emerald66
USB Internet Phone
I thought I would try an internet phone having seen an advert on tv.
At first I thought it was too good to be true being able to get totally free calls to anyone on the receiving end with an internet phone also. Also the calls being extremely cheap and sometimes cheaper to overseas numbers. I ... had a bro living in Korea at the time and it was only 2p per minute to call him.
The phone itself looks fine, appears sturdy and straightforward to use, although appearances can be deceptive.
I set up the phone which was a bit complicated at first then made my first call.
I was very disappointed, the usb connection was loose and unless you were sitting like a waxwork Tussauds dummy whilst on phone it was very easily pulled out of the USB port, it was also a very low volume when ringing although turned up full.
On top of that the calls after a couple of minutes had constant interference and sometimes echoing which was esp heard by the person at the other end. Not sure if this was a phone fault or a fault with the VOIP system.
It seems in theory to be a great thing but maybe technology has progressed too quickly and needs a bit of fine tuning, until then my phone will remain unplugged.
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