A closer look at three new Skype phones
![zd-defaultauthor-russell-shaw.jpg](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/aab0ecb7fa6229ddd570d9e60960c37cdb96c2ed/2014/12/04/3c90fefa-7b70-11e4-9a74-d4ae52e95e57/zd-defaultauthor-russell-shaw.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=192&width=192)
While I was at the Skype press conference at CES and got a good look at the several new phones that were announced, Garrett Smith of the Smith on VoIP blog also grabbed some hands-on first impressions about the products being debuted.
Here's some of his reactions to each. First the Topcom WebT@lker 5000:
Although the Topcom Webt@lker 5000 won’t be out until next quarter (April), if you are looking for a business class phone for Skype, it is well worth the wait. With a suggested retail price of $199.99 USD, it is very liley you will be able to pick one of these up for uner $180 dollars, making this phone a great value and must have.
Here's a pic:
![topcomwebtalker5000drawing.jpg](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/2014/10/04/4f830638-4ba0-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57/topcomwebtalker5000drawing.jpg)
And now for Garrett's take on the Asus AiGuru S2 Wi-Fi Skype VoIP Phone:
It is a cool gadget, but I am not a huge fan of Wi-Fi VoIP phones in the hands of residential users. I do not think they support the type of user experience Skype truly wants to deliver to their users. I could not get an MSRP, but I would venture to guess this one will be going for around $299 ea, with a street price in the $249 range.
Pic:
The third Skype phone here would be the Netgear SPH200D Cordless DECT Phone For Skype. This is my personal favorite.
Garrett:
The Netgear SPH200D is not only sleek and stylish, but upon first tinkering, the phone was extremely easy to use. With a retail price tag of $199.99, the phone is reasonably priced for the flexability it offers. With DECT, PSTN, and IP connectivity, Netgear has successfully deliver a device that not only moves Skype away from the desktop, but replicates the traditional calling experience, and bolsters the Skype offering by provide life-line capability. Definitely two-thumbs up!
Can't leave you hanging without a pic.