Entered CNET Catalog: 12/21/2005
SKU: SPH101
Manufacturer: NetGear Inc.
Manufacturer description
NETGEAR's Skype WiFi Phone is the world's first wireless Internet phone that can make free calls to other Skype users anywhere in the world, anytime you have WiFi access, without a PC. All of your contacts are shown right on the phone's color display so you will know exactly who is on-line. You will also be more available for your friends to call, because you no longer have to be on your PC to be connected. You can even make calls to ordinary phones using Skype-Out for just pennies a minute and no monthly fees. With the Skype WiFi Phone, NETGEAR makes true mobile wireless Internet telephony a reality.User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
User Rating: 
1/10
Poor call quality, sluggish response,poor battery life.
Pros: Small size.
Cons: Poor call quality, sluggish response, poor standby battery life.
User Rating: 
3/10
Poor Call Quality but easy to setup and Use
Pros: Size, Software, Ease of Setup
Cons: Call Quality-people I called said the phone quality was terrible though it was good on my side.
User Rating: 1/10
terrible phone
Pros: looks nice
Cons: doesn't work
User Rating: 
7/10
Best 1st wifi phone generation
Pros: Easy to use and lightweight
Cons: handsfree jack doesn't work and only 2-3hrs of continue talk time/ 24hrs standby time. Then number pad is hard and u have to user your fingertips one at a time with a little delay.
User Rating: 
6/10
Usable but there are quirks and no hope for upgrade
Pros: Skype can be used without PC
Cons: Quirks which reduce its usability
- it seems does not work as well as PC at least I have this impression. It has tendency to cut phonems. Anyway, remember to have good WiFi link.
- it seems the phone is not completely stable or recovers when there is problem with the network, it has to be reset from time to time
- annoying quirk is that call ID does not work like in cordless phones. Thats is if you have a name stored in memory and a call comes from this name, only the number is displayed and no name.
- using DTMF tones is awkward, they have to be called from a list, not directly from keypad, they can not be stored.
- there is no hope for software upgrade. This phone is not made by Netgear and apparently they outsourced support too.
- power supply goes through USB-shaped connector. I wonder why the phone could not have craddle like in the wired network model
In the end, the phone works, and can be used. If networks are fine, it works fine. But the quirks make it less than ideal and it could be ideal if software upgrade would be provided.
User Rating: 1/10
Is this some type of joke?
Pros: None whatseover
Cons: Everything about it
User Rating: 7/10
Does what it claims on the box
Pros: Easy to use, but read the manual
Cons: No chat, & battery life only a few hours
User Rating: 1/10
This phone is bad, but the Netgear customer service is the worst ever!!!
Pros: unfortunately none
Cons: the phone does not perform
User Rating: 7/10
Room for refinement, but a solid start
Pros: High quality construction, Trivial to set up and use
Cons: Outgoing audio is a little muffled, gets hot, uses up battery
I turned it on and was going to grab the manual to get it configured. I saw my network listed, I selected and entered my WPA password, then entered my Skype credentials. I was about to then get the manual to see what else I had to do when I realized I was already connected, up and running. Setup is a snap, though only with simple home networks. It doesn't support any custom web based logins.
Button layout is intuitive. It was easy to make calls. Other party sounds solid, but they noticed a lack of resolution in my speech. I cross checked and confirmed that the outgoing audio is a little muffled. Under worse conditions, the lack of crispness would reduce intelligibility, but I wasn't being asked to repeat myself.
After a five minute phone call, I was well aware of the LCD display which was warming my cheek like a warm washcloth.
If you want to be ready to take calls, remember to leave it charged. Otherwise the battery dies without warning in a day or so.
I'd say this phone is ready for the real world. It is clearly a 1st generation device with room for maturing and refinement, but as a first pass, it's a solid start and ready to use.
User Rating: 1/10
This product does not work. Poor performance
Pros: Look like an interesting Toy for Holidays
Cons: Bad design. Poor user interface
Netgear claims that this phone is a very easy to setup... They must be referring to some other Skype phone...Do not waist your money on this garbage.
User Rating: 3/10
Basic features lacking, battery life <1 day standby!!
Pros: works if you leave plugged into the wall & don't move
Cons: not useful as a home cordless phone over VOIP
User Rating: 1/10
Great idea, lousy execution
Pros: looks good
Cons: never was able to connect to my network. Returned it
User Rating: 
2/10
Boo this Device
Pros: Easy to use, quick connection to network
Cons: Packet Loss, Burns its battery out quickly,
User Rating: 7/10
Looks good, but WAIT for Web-based log-in, integration with phone services, etc.
Pros: Uses Skype via Wi-Fi Support, Comes from Netgear, a trusted company
Cons: No Web-Based Log In, Not yet integrated with your home phone service or cellular service...
1) No Web-Based Log In: This means that even if you have T-Mobile or Verizon's powerful Wi-Fi access plans, you will not be able to access wi-fi. Why is this a problem? Most access hotspots require web-based log in.
2) Not Integrated with your Home Phone/Cellular Device: This means that you need two devices at home: a set of home phones & a Skype phone. Why is this a problem? If you're like me, you enjoy the all-in-one hybrid devices.
User Rating: 6/10
does not support web based log-in , urghhhh
Pros: no PC required
Cons: does not support hotspots
User Rating: 
8/10
the future...i hope
Pros: Not Available
Cons: Not Available
User Rating: 
10/10
Nice product !
Pros: Nice product !
Cons: Nice product !
get one right a way.
