Experience with a Belkin Skype Wi-Fi Phone
First off, I want to apologize to Belkin. They took the time to ship me their wireless Skype phone and I fell so behind, it missed mention on the blog. I did show it off at MIX '08 as promised, though. Commence the rock throwing!
Ok, that out of the way...
Skype, if you've been living under a rock for the past five years, is a piece of software that lets you call another user of the software for free over the Internet. You know, that voice-over-IP schtuff. Other features, of course, include video teleconferencing, a "SkypeIn" service that handles the translation of phone numbers to Skype users, and a "SkypeOut" service that basically allows the reverse. Oh and the software is chock full of obfuscated code to help prevent reverse engineering and keep bugs in.
I can't speak for the Skype software on Linux or Mac OS X, but I can tell you from first hand experience that on Windows, when it works, it works nicely. After a couple years of use, however, I've grown to loathe it. After learning about an opportunity to try out Belkin's Skype phone, I jumped right on it. I want Skype off my PC.
Belkin's Wi-Fi Phone for Skype isn't new, in fact it's nearly two years old, but it has been refreshed and can still hold its own today. Read on for my hands-on experience, chock full of pictures.
I received the phone in a cellophaned box, within the usual-colored peanut-filled box. Nothing special.
Emptying the product's box contents onto my table yielded some decorative writing on glossy paper, a compact disc with a soft copy of the manual, a male mini-USB to male USB cable (for data), a phone charger (male mini-USB to US AC prong), a battery, an expired SkypeOut card for 30 minutes and a month of free voicemail decoration, and finally - the phone itself.
As with all electronics, I captured all the serial numbers and FCC IDs for Google search purposes. Take note this phone isn't actually a "real" phone. There is no electronic serial number (ESN), Mobile Equipment Identifier (MEID) or a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). It's an 802.11b/g WiFi-only phone, so you get a MAC address instead.
I'm a current Blackberry 7100t owner (for work) so it felt natural to compare it to the Skype phone, never mind the fact it's the only other mobile device I have. Shockingly, the Skype phone is longer than my Blackberry and almost just as thick. It is a bit narrower though, but not by much.
| Belkin WiFi Skype Phone | Blackberry 7100t | |
| Height: | 11.5cm | 11.7cm |
| Width: | 4.9cm | 5.9cm |
| Depth: | 1.8cm | 2.1cm |
The screen is nothing to write home about, but keep in mind I'm a spoiled RIM flashlight Blackberry user. It was a bit disturbing to see the small screen in the phone with a bunch of what looks like reserved screen space. Shame really because the device feels half empty. As with most mobile devices that get held to the face, the screen attracts grease and smudges very well. Expect to wipe after every call.
The buttons are small plastic push buttons with a high-gloss finish, which look just fine. The tactile feedback is also very good and not being a large fingered individual, the size of each button is just right. They're also backlit by some blue LEDs, whoo.
On the bottom, the phone sports a mini-USB connector for flashing/charging purposes and a mini-headphone jack, covered by some irritating rubber flaps. On the left side, you'll find a set of volume buttons. Nothing fancy.
The operating system on the phone, judging by the GPL'ed firmware on Belkin's website, is a stripped down version of a *nix that automatically loads a modified version of the Skype for Linux client, along with WiFi chipset drivers and other necessities. Although the documentation demanded that I recharge the phone before use, I started using the phone immediately. You'll see, by looking in the upper right-hand corner, the battery had half of a charge. Rafael: 1, Documentation: 0.
The menu-based user interface was pretty straight-forward and was very responsive, unlike Blackberry's Java-based kluge. Upon first use, I was greeted by Skype's legal dump and a language selection menu. After bypassing the legalese and selecting English as my preferred language, I began network configuration.
The phone immediately detected my high-powered local wireless access point (secured via WPA2/PSK TKIP+AES) and a neighbors low-powered wireless access point (secured via WEP). Entering my private key and Skype account information was painful, having been spoiled by the Blackberry's QWERTY keyboard, but after a few tries, I successfully logged in and was greeted by a online-sorted contact list and the familiar Skype wooooosh start up sound.
Not wanting to chat with a human at the time, I called the Echo / Sound Test robot. This user comprises of a recorded voice that greets you then records your input and plays it back, for quality testing purposes. Calling this special user quite a few times resulted in zero echo, drop out, or any unusual noise. Sound quality is of highest expected quality for a mobile device so no complaints there. I read users complaining about drop-outs, echo, and even disconnected calls, but I have yet to experience any of these problems, knock on wood. I attribute my success with the newer firmware (2.0.0.37), which strangely enough isn't on Belkin's US website. I can dump the phone's firmware if anyone really wants it.
The phone's software surprisingly comes packed with most of the commonly-used features found in the Windows thick client minus chat and the ability to start a conference call, for obvious CPU/bandwidth reasons. It does, however, support the receipt of conference-based calls, although doesn't display the participants.
Overall, it's not a bad phone. The cost of the phone had me wanting more and being WiFi-only prevents it from being a total Skype PC client replacement, but it's a positive sign of things to come in the near future. To summarize...
Nice
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Stable, high-quality calls without a PC!
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Barebones software keeps things nice and simple (i.e. no chat)
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Supports latest mainstream WiFi standards (802.11b/g) and encryption methods (WEP/WPA/WPA2)
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Package features necessary cabling for recharging via PC and outlet
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Looks good enough to be carried around as a real mobile phone
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Appears to be hackable (use of *nix, GPL software, etc.)
Not so nice
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Price ($170 as of writing)
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Ear piece support is weird. You can hear the conversation through the ear piece but sound effects play on the device.
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No browser = cannot connect to most airport/hotel wireless (can't click through)
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Battery life (~3 hours continuous use, ~2 days unused)
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Screen size
Links
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Product home: http://www.belkin.com/skype/
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Additional pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rafaelrivera/sets/72157604122072549/
The date on the “newer” firmware is 2007/05/10, whereis the latest published on Belkin’s website firmware version 1.1.0.22 with the date 11/20/07. Not sure which one is the latest …
Nice review. Thanks.
I just got the phone. I am trying to connect o my son’s network and I am not having fun.
At this moment my son is trying to imput any password available that will make it possible for me to use his network.
Earlier, I tried to speak with my sister and she could not hear me. I was using my company network. Well I just had 3 dot, so I assumed that the connection was not strong.
Anyway, I did not pay 170 but I paid enough and I did not expected having a bad connection.
@Elizabeth: What firmware does your device report? These sound like bugs that were squashed in the latest firmware.
I’ve been testing the Belkin Skype phone for several months and think it is a great device. I also have the call land line option which opens up a whole new world of opportunities. It works at home, at the office, anywhere I can get a WiFi signal. No problems experienced. I have a friend who is about to be deployed to Iraq and has set up Skype at his house to be able to stay in touch with his wife. She can use the Skype phone easier than the computer, so again, new opportunties are presenting themself.
Hello:
It seems we both have the same phone! I had one of the original Belkin WiFi phones and it had terrible battery life and dropped calls often and reset itself for no reason. Not even v 1.0.22 of firmware helped. The root cause I figure (looking back now) was it was hardware revision R01 of the phone.
My phone was so messed up, one day it decided not to start. It was under warantee, so I sent it to Belkin. In the mail, I obtained the identical phone you show above, running firmware v2.0.0.37 and hardware revision R03 (as you show in your photo above).
Ever since obtaining this phone from Belkin – all problems have been fixed! It is very reliable, never hangs up in the middle of the call, battery life is excellent and works as I originally believed it would! I would recommend this phone to anyone. The only thing I would like if Belkin could somehow put in a really cheezy web browser (graphics/usability should be very low) option for strictly web browser authentication in places like airports, hotels and cafe’s it would really be a huge add value to purchase it.
Just to alert Mike.
I have the same phone with the same firmware and hardware revision. My phone will reset while after 10 mins of talking. It happens on skype and skype out. I have complained this to Skype customer service for 2 months. Still working on it.
It seems to me that the product quality is NOT consistent. Lucky you!
Hi, I have the version 1 software and im having a ton of problems. Could you please upload/send me the second version for the firmware ?
Thanks a ton !
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I just got the phone and charged it for 3 hours.
powered it up, connected to my wpa wireless network, and it dropped network connection after 4 or 5 seconds every time I connected.
called belkin support. they told me it phone doesnt support wpa. I told them the belkin website says it does. Transferred to supervisor. She tried to walk me through firmware upgrade but I have the v2 (aka version 2000) with the firmware 2.0.0.37 which is newer than the one on belkin’s website (which has been explained above)
phone wouldn’t connect via usb to two different computers I tried. The support person told me to return the phone, it apparently has a hardware problem.
But this support supervisor didnt know anything about the fact that his is version 2, the hardware upgrades or anything.
total time spent: 2 hours
results: return phone
update, just took a drive down the street and picked up an open wifi connection, no encryption on it
the phone worked great, great quality too.
maybe just a wpa problem. I’m going to play with it a bit more before returning it
Nice review. I have the identical phone that you show above with the same hardware revision and firmware. I use to have an older version of this same phone that was very unreliable (reset for no reason, dropped calls, etc). I returned to Belkin and this unit arrived in the mail. I attribute the improvement due to the new hardware revision and the software. I wish a new firmware would be released that supports browser authentication instead of Boingo (that is useless). Long range wifi N would also be nice in a newer hardware version.
Hi,
You said “I can dump the phone’s firmware if anyone really wants it.” Could you please do that? We have couple of dead / frozen phones which we want to resurrect. But couldn’t find ver 2.0.0.37 anywhere in the internet, for the ver 2000 phones we have got. Also, whatever the firmware available for ver 1000 doesn’t works for these ver 2000 phones.
Thank you.
same as TTB, can you send the ver. 2.0.0.37 please!
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I have also the older version of the firmware,with 10min reset problems and so on. How can I get the latest, Eich is not on the Beloin website? Thnks for the help.
Test
Just bought a Belkin (came with firmware v.2.0.0.37) and was able to connect to the wireless network in no time. So far the good news … Tried to phone a Skype account, got connected and then the trouble started : each time I said something or got a reply, it took approx. 2 seconds delay !? Moreover if you don’t respect these 2 seconds time delay and start replying too fast the last words from your counter-party get lost. We ended up calling each other and said “over” each time we finished our sentence … quite amusing (not) but hardly workable. Making calls to fixed lines prooved even worse : it takes a 3 to 4 seconds delay … I do not have any of these “delay” problems making my calls directly from the PC, only when I use the Belkin wifi phone. Support … nada … Another $120 down the drain …
The Belkin Skype WiFi phone is the worst device made for skype.
Please don’t waste your money.
It has so many problems I cannot even start to tell you.
The worst of which is the failure to install a manual reset switch.
So if your phone freezes and taking the battery off doesn’t help, like it has happened to me, it is useless!
The phone has a huge delay on Skype Out/In calls.
The hearing quality is way too soft.
It has a crappy battery life and is constantly in need of charging.
It is just by far nothing but trouble.
I cannot even begin to express my dislike for this phone.
PLEASE, DO SOME RESEARCH AND BUY ANOTHER PHONE IF YOU WANT SKYPE VIA WIFI.
I bought my Belkin Wi-Fi Skype phone (F1PPOOOGN-SK) a week ago Fry’s on sale for $99.99. My phone doesn’t have any of the problems George has had to deal with, so far. There is no delay with Skype In/Out calls. The volume and sound quality is great from both ends of the conversations (I always ask). The battery lasts for several days between charging. It may not last as long if you are constantly talking on it (I’m not). Charging it each night, or even using it while it’s being charged, would probably solve any heavy use problem. The charge cord is 5′ long, plenty long enough for talking at your desk like with a corded phone.
I use my Skype phone mainly for long distance calls, for Skype incoming calls so I don’t have to keep my computer on all the time, and as a mobile phone at Starbucks, McDonald’s, Barnes & Noble and any other of the over 100,000 Boingo worldwide Wi-Fi hot spots. My Skype unlimited long-distance calls to any phone in the US or Canada cost me $30/year, my Skype phone number cost me $30/year (1/2 off with purchase of long distance) and my worldwide Boingo Wi-Fi subscription cost me $8 per month, for a total of $13/month. I also have a basic land line phone with DSL and a T-Mobile To Go prepaid cell phone for emergencies on the road and texting. No contracts, low monthly payments, the way I like it.
My phone has “Software version: V2.0.0.40 2008/07/01″ and “Hardware version: RO3″ which is, I assume, are latest versions and may have resolved some of the problems mentioned in the older reviews here. George’s review is only a month older than mine, so either he got a lemon and should get a replacement from Belkin or there is a problem with his router/internet connection. I like the way the phone looks, and have no trouble with the keys or any other hardware. A couple of earphones I had laying around work fine with this phone.
The only problem I have had are occasional call drops, especially when I am outside my house and far away from my router, but I also have had dropped calls with Skype on my computer, so that may just be more of the same. I have a very old 3 light 2Wire 1701HG Gateway DSL 802.11g 4-Port Wireless Router, so that also may be part of the problem. But for $13/month, I can’t complain :)