Hands on: Ipevo Free.2 smart USB Skype phone
First Look
The people from Ipevo were so friendly to provide me with proper samples for their new Ipevo Free.2 phones. It's one of the few modern companies in this arena of usb-device that has a high cute factor and keeps coming back with new steady releases.
Specifications
- Fully integrated with Skype
- USB Plug and Play technology
- High resolution LCD with white LED
- Audio recording format: WAV
- Multi-language LCD Display
- Size: 165x38x18mm (LxWxH)
- Weight: 110g
- Cable length: 250cm
Requires:
- Microsoft Windows XP, Mac OS X 10.4 up
- 400 MHz Pentium II or higher, 128MB free RAM an d40MB free hard disk space
- Broadband internet connection
- Available USB port
- CD-ROM drive
I have been playing with it. It works well. Of all the Skype enabled USB-phones I find this one most complete. I don't see anything wrong with it and they really listen to customer feedback it seems.
Excellent sound quality, good echo cancellation, high cute factor, highly marketable lifestyle device.
Hands On
Here are the mugshots of the reality. Like I said; what you see advertised on the website of Ipevo is exactly what you get. They even added the little holder for the phone to the package. Great stuff. at least the phone is not laying around in a sloppy way on your desk. Everybody can see it. It comes in a nice package too. See the video...
I installed the device Ipevo Free.2 (there is really nothing to it, simple), I got an update for the software, the drivers loaded in Windows XP home and XP pro properly. No problems at all. The way it should be.
It's nice that it comes with a recording button and software too. The software records conversation in .WAV format. Maybe in the next version they can add mp3 format. And it is so simple. Far the simplest recorder in the whole Skype business.
Contents of the
package:
- device
- cdrom
- holder for the phone (hang or stand)
- sticker
- data cd with drivers and software
- manual
- quick installation guide.
And they even do online support at Ipevo, via Skype and via email. These people really believe in their product, which is exactly why they will still be around years from now and others not. Quality, not only quantity. Nobody wants to buy a bad device or talk to bad people and Ipevo is exactly the opposite. Buy one before they run out of stock.
Here are the marketing mugshots. I like that they reflect reality. Judge for yourself:
Disclaimer: Ipevo advertises on Jan Geirnaert's Skype-Watch site.
Comments
I've had the Free.1 phone for a while now and love it. Sound quality is great, nobody complaints about hearing me our echo. I can see myself buying a Free.2 to use as my work phone.
I wish my Free.1 had come with a little desk stand like pictured. How does one go about getting one of those after the fact?
Posted by: Al | March 29, 2007 12:13 PM
Great review. What is the little white Skype box behind the SIP phone in the first video clip?
Posted by: jeffery | May 22, 2007 11:29 AM
I purchased the Free 1 USB phone and have had some problems with it on my Macbook. Everything works... except when I dial a number and then required to dial an extension or menu item. The phone produces a double tone for each number. E.G. when I key the one (1) key, it gives a one, one (1,1) tone. Returned the phone, received another, and it still does the same thing. Any suggestions?
Posted by: jack | November 28, 2007 01:38 PM
Thank you for the very nice review on the Free.2. I love the videos. I recently bought the Free.2 and just love it. I never tried Skype before getting my phone, so all experiences have been perfect.
The call quality is crystal clear, on both my end an my callers side. I love the display, even though it duplicates on my computer. I have a 50-foot USB extension cord, which allows me to use it in my living room, if I choose...although most every call is made at my desk.
The record feature is superb, and well-done. What a joy to be able to do interviews over the phone, and record so easily. For $39, it's a steal! Frankly I don't know why this phone isn't offered on the Skype website?
Posted by: Bill | March 1, 2008 07:54 PM