DU@Lphone - Skype Handset
Free yourself from Skyping on the PC. I like going cordless with Skype. I've used a bluetooth headset with limited range, and more recently the DUALphone now finally available in the US. This is one of the most sophisticated cordless / combination internet and standard landline phones on the market today. The DUALphone lets you take and make those important Skype calls from a regular handset. For many that's really cool. It's been customized to provide ready integration of Skype features into the handset.
In my case it is good to get up from the PC from time to time. Plus not everyone or every call requires you to be tied to a desktop session of chat and screen sharing. Sometimes it's easier to walk around.
So what do I like best about the DUALphone? It's not the sound - that is very good. Not the changes in presence status or buddylist on the handset; it is more basic than that. I can still answer my PC with my headset without resetting anything. The DUALphone is smart enough to know when it should change the sound settings and point the internet call to the handset. Thus pick it up and it becomes active. Decide on the next call - to take it on your PC, no problem.
In my experience that is pretty unique. Communication is becoming multi-modal and devices must know when they are desired and when they aren't. Plus everytime I get a Skype call now, the phone rings. That gets over the missed calls I have when I leave a headset plugged in and can't hear it ringing.
Installation
Installing it and getting it to work requires a Windows (Currently) PC with Skype installed and a USB socket. Naturally you have to keep the PC running.Plug in the USB cable, load the software, let it sit for a few minutes and all your Skype buddies will appear on the handset.
After that you can scroll though them, watch the frequent updates as online status changes are reported (I turned the beep for that off quickly and would quite happily turn that feature off altogether).
I quickly found that scolling though the whole list to make a call was not effective. I have 268 buddies currently. However pushing a number provided alpha proximity very quickly and it was then just click to call.
You can also do simple things from the handset like setting your Skype Status.
The rest of the functionality? It sits well in your hand. It's got good range and it looks and acts like the phone you are used to. You can set Internet dialing to remember country codes, etc. As with all new devices it takes a little time to work out all the features. It's worth the time.
In the 'it could be handy department', you can add additional handsets to the initial basestation. Up to 4. Then your whole house could be DUALphone activated. It would cost! For the initial base station and phone the price of the DUALphone-US site is $139.99. Expect it to soon be in a store nearby.
I found one area where the software needs an update. The DUALphone doesn't integrate with Skype VoiceMail. There may be a missed call notification, however there is no way to listen to new voicemails over the phone. Similarly there is as yet no way to initiate a voice message from the handset (sending a VM to another Skyper without ringing). However, that is not the fault of the device, it just requires further developments in the SkypeAPI. Get the phone now and I'd expect a software update will provide this additional functionality in a future release.
Lastly, where do I think the DUALphone fits in making a handset choice for Skype? That may be a little dependent on the quality of your current cordless phone and how sensitive your ears are to trying to retain that Skype audio clarity. (See technical details.) If most of your calls are Skype to Skype and you have to have a traditional handset then this may be the one for you. If the majority of your Skype calls are using SkypeOut then you may be better served at a lot lower price by a device like UConnect, which will turn your old cordess phone into something similar. However, your old cordless phone is unliley to provide the same level of sound quality. If you want Skype on a phone today, go and get it.
Check out other reviews:
Comments
Very cool, it's got wideband audio! So you get full sound all the way to your ear. There's no landline drop-off in quality. Impressive.
Posted by: Rick | August 31, 2005 12:10 PM
Stuart, I too was enthusiastic when the DUALphone was released in the UK a few months back and promptly bought one with a view of supplying to our clients.
My one, major disappointment was in the poor quality of the phone keys and I frequently found myself entering the wrong number when dialling from the phone – a must if you are to benefit from the roaming feature of a wireless phone.
I reluctantly gave up after three weeks of use and we implemented converter devices in our office very similar to the U-Connect mentioned in your other post. This also allows the use of your own phone (DECT or fixed) and we now supply this device in the UK.
I take your point regarding audio quality but another advantage of a converter device is its use in situations other than by an individual with a phone. We have implemented the WS:3200 (our badged converter) with clients other than just to connect a phone or DECT system.
One such example is a client who by attaching four converters to the ports on their Dialogic cards in their existing auto dialler allowed them to dial out from their existing systems through Skype (both Skype to Skype and SkypeOut) or the PSTN depending upon the dial string supplied.
A second example is where a busy hi-fi retail store has attached to their shop’s small business PBX allowing the busy store staff to take customer calls from both the PSTN and now from Skype.
The integration of the DUALphone with Skype is very good but if it can't be used as a phone in all senses its use is limited. I would welcome your comments on whether you experienced this same failing with the keypad or perhaps we just experienced difficulties associated with early units from the manufacturing line. We did buy early! If it is the later then we might reconsider adding this to our list of devices for our UK clients.
Regards
Graeme
Posted by: websetters | August 31, 2005 12:38 PM
Graeme,
Great examples of small business solutions using the converters to access additional lines or lower Skype rates plus access Skypers directly.
I've not had any problems with the key pad, although I'm not punching it all day and so can't say I've put it through a punishing stress test.
One approach I'm interested in .... I want a box similar to your 3200 that will enable me to route SkypeIn into a PBX. It requires a different output. Do you know of any?
Posted by: Stuart Henshall | August 31, 2005 11:09 PM
I got this update from Dualphone support yesterday:
Dear Customer,
To listen to message with your Dualphone.
1) Press the # sign on your phone.
2) Press the green button your phone.
3) Use the Skype program to choose the VM you wish to listen too.
Kind Regards,
Dualphone Support
Posted by: John | September 1, 2005 05:40 AM
Hi Stuart, what type of PBX are you referring or is this a generic question? Let me know what you are trying to achieve by directing SkypeIn into the PC and I'll see what I can advise.
Drop me a line graeme@websetters.co.uk or IM me @ websetters if more appropriate.
Regards
Graeme
Posted by: websetters | September 2, 2005 12:39 PM
In relation to the statement Very cool, it's got wideband audio! So you get full sound all the way to your ear. There's no landline drop-off in quality. Impressive.I wonder if the person who wrote this has the handset? My father bought one in the UK a month ago and according to my ear it does not sound wide band. I have been wondering if the mic it uses is limited to normal narrowband ranges? I can only say that to our ears it is not wideband, even though we are using Skype-Skype calls. Also one quirk if you are away from your PC then since you are not moving your mouse then your status will change to idle; only way round this is not to have your status change to idle at all (changeable in Skype settings).
Posted by: Lee Dryburgh | September 3, 2005 11:43 AM
Lee,
I'd concur that the audio experience is not up to a headset and I've had a few more comments that when using the handset I'm not as clear. No question that if you want to make an impression "audio presence" on someone else then using a great mic is most important.
Good point on the status changes. Just proves that we have quite a way to go on Skypeware, for both quality and integration. I'd note some other programs even change your status to DND when in a call. I wouldn't want that either, however others may like the option.
Posted by: Stuart Henshall | September 3, 2005 03:18 PM
Receiving Skype calls on the DUALphone whilst the pc is off. if you are using Skype 1.4 beta, you can now forward your calls (SkypeOut rates apply) to your fixed line, this means that if you turn your pc of and divert your SkypeIn and Skype calls you can still receive them to the DUALphone, without having to be in the same room as the pc or having to use a different phone.
DUALphone is also available from:
www.nyc-dualphone.com
Posted by: Trevor Dollman | September 24, 2005 02:05 PM
I have no complaints about the Du@lphone. For the moment it seems to be the best choice for making cordless Skype compatible calls. Although With companies like seimens offering advanced DECT phones with VoIP capabilities The Dualphone will have to fight to hold on to its crown.
Incidentally the best price I have found the Du@lphone at is from I-VoIP.co.uk
Keep up the good blogging!
Posted by: Jan Jesman | October 24, 2005 04:24 AM
Dear Stuart
AmperorDirect (http://www.amperordirect.com) has started to carry the RTX dualphone. Could we post a link to your article at here?
Best Regards
Howard
Posted by: Howard | October 31, 2005 06:26 PM
I ordered my phone from i-voip and two weeks on I'm, still waiting for my phone. I've emailed several times but they never reply. I reckon its some kid in his bedroom who doesnt know what he's doing - am now contacting my bank to reverse the payment.
Posted by: Paul_1974 | November 13, 2005 10:51 AM
Dear Paul_1974,
I am Stefan Michalak a director of I-VoIP.co.uk. You claim to have not received the Du@lphone you ordered from us 2 weeks ago.
We urge you to contact us immediatly in regard to this matter on +442071931885 or by e-mailing enquiries@i-voip.co.uk.
We have seen your post on a number of forums now and would query whether they are genuine.
I-VoIP prides itself on providing a high quality service and we have as yet received no reports of undelivered items. Please contact us immediately if your complaint is genuine or will be unable to help you.
Posted by: Stefan Michalak | November 22, 2005 02:51 PM
after having used this cordless for one year i must say that the concept is very good, but the built quality is very poor.
Two sets bought.
Both of them had problems with LCD display.
One has been substituted, and after few months, now it's dead.
Both the cordlesses (of which one still with the erratic LCD display) have been always updated with software releases.
I read of other people having problems with displays.
It's a shame.
Posted by: Andrea | April 18, 2006 07:52 AM
I agree about the build quality and the LCD display. I bought one of these for myself and one for someone else. After about a year both phones had developed faults in the LCD displays. The attitude of the manufacturer's was pathetic. They told me to contact the store where I bought it after I had told them that it was out of business. Their view seems to be that thay are not liable. Legally, I do understand that. Practically, however, they have unloaded a product which is almost certain to develop a fault onto the market and must be aware of this by now and a company with intergrity would seek to make this right. They are happy for customers to lose their money on it.
Posted by: Paul | June 12, 2006 01:30 PM
I have had the Du@lphone about two weeks and have had the following problems:
1. Skypeout calls keep getting dropped (random times...)
2. Have posted complaint to the support department - have heard nothing back..
I have the latest dualphone suite installed. I think it maybe due to the fact that I am using the latest Skype software (2.5.0.122) and dualphone's software does not work too well with it. In any case I will be returning the phone as faulty unless I hear from the company pronto...
Posted by: faz | July 9, 2006 02:49 AM
I had the LCD problem too. Two phones bought by my friend and me. Both developed a faulty LCD, which became unreadable, and the manufacturer just sent us standard copy and paste replies. The dealer is out of business and the manufacturer does not care. This product has a terrible build quality and is liable to fail after a year. Avoidance suggested.
Posted by: Paul | July 15, 2006 06:05 AM
I purchased seven of these phones for the office. Within two months, two have had the keypad failure problem. They're not locked (not using the keypad lock feature); they're busted.. I've tried everything.
Is there a 'reset to factory defaults' option somewhere in the basestation/software?
Posted by: Jareb | November 6, 2006 08:23 AM