Review: The new IPEVO Solo adds Wi-Fi, lowers cost

IPEVO updated their IPEVO S0-10W desk phone (pronounced "solo") with Skype inside. Wi-Fi adapter is now included (so you only need a power cable), the handset is now black like the rest of the unit instead of a contrasting white, and the price is down 36% to $109.99 from $169.99.  More for less.

We've reviewed this phone before and liked it in January 2008. 

Things I still like:

• It's really pretty. Ipevo's been making the classiest Skype phones for years. Every edge, button, and cable has a designer's elegance and an engineer's usability. You'll look good on a budget.
• The audio is clear. Not music quality in either handset speaker and microphone or the hands-free speaker. But as clear as any off the shelf PSTN phone. Even better, other software doesn't consume CPU or disk Skype needs, so audio quality is consistent.
• The buttons and control layout are big and easy to use. It's nice to just reach over dial a number when you have to. Or scroll down and pick a name.
• No PC required. So I can put this in any room in the house.

Things I don't like:

• Audio quality is limited to old CODECs, so you don't get High Quality audio from Skype's SILK codec.
• Skype's built in software is clunky and awkward, far from Skype's more elegant and engaging software for Mac, Windows, and iPhone. It represents Skype's first efforts around 2006-2007 to design compact user interfaces for devices.
• Some simple tasks can be difficult. Scrolling to find someone's name in a long list can take a very long time. Adding a contact takes many steps and is unforgiving.
• No more than 500 contacts. No big deal for most people. But you can cross that limit if your company is on Skype, or you import your Google contacts, or you are the editor of Skype Journal.
• It spontaneously logs out from the Skype network. Darned software leaves you back at the sign in form. It does not remember my Skype login, so I have to rekey it each time. Because it may be logged off from Skype, I can't rely on it ringing when someone Skypes me.
• Cable still required for handset. Cordless phones, handsets and headsets rock.
• Firmware not automatically updated.

Skype hasn't issued a major refresh for embedded software in a while. The average Skype phone won't be much smarter until the design aesthetic used in Skype's Mac and MID products finds its way into the embedded codebase.

Bottom line: This is a useful PC-free Skype desk phone. The addition of Wi-Fi and the lower price makes this a reasonable deal.

Buy it from IPEVO Store. Amperor Direct. Fry's. Amazon.

tags: skype, ipevo, deskphone, desk, phone, telephone, solo, s0-10, firmware, embedded

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