VoIP at CES: hardware is where the action is
Well, after several flight delays, I arrived at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas Tuesday afternoon.
Based on my conversations and observations so far, the overarching VoIP-related theme seems to be one of hardware-driven partnerships to enhance existing VoIP services.
Some of the announcements that are jumping out at me include:
Vonage will partner with networking systems hardware maker D-Link to fashion a co-branded broadband phone adaptor pre-configured for Vonage service.
Skype is working on several products, including a new communications device to be unveiled later this afternoon in conjunction with Netgear. I'll be there, and report.
Skype is also working with Panasonic on a cordless phone that can be used to work with Skype.
Much buzz here about the Skype-compatible VTech USB7100 phone.
Motorola is entering the VoIP market in a big way with an in-home system that will be able to support dual-mode VoIP-over-WiFi as well as regular cell calls, and to roam between the two should te user's cellular provider sign on. This at-home system is something called the RSG2500, which will combine an 802.11b/g access point, a four-port router and a built-in VoIP adapter.
Expect this in the stores around the fourth quarter of 2006 (you are writing "2006" on your checks now, correct?