A great phone to simplify Skype use, but limited by having to be near a pc. (USRobotics USB Internet Phone 9600)

Member Name: aled99

Product:	USRobotics USB Internet Phone 9600
Date:	27/09/09 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good microphone quality, integrates well with skype.

Disadvantages: Not cordless and still requires a pc.

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.

Summary: An excellent phone to use with skype, that's much easier to use than a separate microphone/speaker