Firebox Cyberphone
The reason that I'm economical with my personal details is that when you join Skype you become part of a network which has millions of people in it. Quite literally. There were a shade over two million users online when I wrote this review. Any one of them can do a search, and if I have chosen to be ‘Skype Me’ mode I’ll be letting all Skype users know I am online and ready to be called – ‘available for random chat’ Skype calls it. It is possible to search for users by criteria like gender and age, but then I also like to keep this kind of stuff to myself.
Using Skype is straightforward, and if you read through the very well presented help you should be fine. The important things are to set up a contacts list, which you do by adding individuals to it – you can search for them in the global list. You also want to remember to tell Skype when you are offline or online. There are various other status modes, including the noted ‘Skype Me’, which you’ll learn about as you get more familiar with the software.
With these bits set up, the next step is to plug the Cyberphone into an available USB port. It was recognised and configured automatically in a few seconds, and then lifting the receiver on the handset brought the Skype software up onto the screen.
There are buttons on the handset for muting your own voice, scrolling through contact lists so you can select who you want to call, and initiating and ending calls. If you choose to install SkypeOut, the version of Skype that offers low cost prepaid calls to mobiles and landlines around the globe, you can use the numeric pad to dial numbers.
While you can perform all these functions directly from the software, having them on a traditional-looking handset may be more appealing to some users. Similarly using a handset rather than a call-centre style headset, which would work just as well, may feel more comfortable to many.
It has to be said, though, that the handset will not appeal to every taste. The cheapish plastic silver and orange design is shameful when compared to most domestic phones, and it’s wired to your PC, instantly making DECT phone users grunt with disapproval. If you really want some additional freedom, or need to type while on a call, there is a 2.5mm jack in the phone for you to install a headset – although surely this defeats the purpose of having it in the first place. The handset itself doesn’t incorporate a speakerphone, which is a pity.
Sound quality was excellent throughout the test period, and I really do believe that as a familiar looking solution the Cyberphone should help encourage people to try VoIP, even if only as a stepping stone to greater things to come later on (roll on support for 802.11 in DECT phones).
Alternatives? Well, we’ve already mentioned a rather more complex router VoIP combination, and at the more simple end of things you could just get hold of a cheap headset and use that with Skype. But the Cyberphone enhances the general familiarity of the whole VoIP thing, which I am all for in this case as VoIP is a fabulous technology.
Verdict
If you’ve been put off the idea of VoIP because you don’t want to be talking to your computer wearing a headset, the Cyberphone should definitely create a more comfortable environment. It’s a shame then that a product aimed at making VoIP easy for the consumer has an install routine that an expert will struggle with.
Note
Because Skype makes up such a large part of the Cyberphone package we felt compelled to score this excellent free software as well. Taking into account the level of functionality you're getting at no cost, we heartily recommend Skype to anyone that wants to chat to friends for free.
Skype Scores
Ease of Setup - 9
Ease of Use - 9
Features - 8
Value - 10
Overall 9
For more information on Skype or to download the software go to www.skype.com
