... beta-testing unproven technology? Interesting.I refer you to the phone on the left: the Belkin WiFi phone which has a part number, but no catchy trade name or designation. "I don't have a designation... sir!" It works fairly well, but has some annoying, not-quite-ready-for-prime-time issues.
First, it seems to drop its connection, for no apparent reason. I think it may be because it seems to continually scan for new networks to join, and maybe it drops the connection when a new one is found. That is stupid, if so, 'cause the most likely one for it to pick up will be one that's just barely in range. Why abandon a full signal to offer the user the nearly non-existent one? That's bullshit, guys.
It also has an annoying tendency to make the sound alert that the connection is gone, when in fact, it is still there. It's done this at least a dozen times every day, so far, both before and after the firmware update.
Also, when reconnecting, it takes four clicks of a softkey -- one step is to re-enter the WPA key, which is stored in the phone -- duh! If user says, "remember key," don't bother making me say "OK" to a bunch of asterisks! Dang, that pisses me off. Did no one USE this phone?
Then, when deleting historical data, no confirmation is needed. That's not good, either.
UPDATE: Three new thangs that peeve me about the Belkin: The clock/calendar sometimes reset themselves for no reason. The clock, when set, gains about 10-15 minutes a day. Also, when the connection drops for no reason, and you're on a network with no broadcast SSID, you can either wait for it to automagically reconnect, or you have to type in the SSID to manually reconnect.
I'm debating sending it back if there's no firmware update beyond what I got from Belkin's site Friday night.
BELKIN -- THE COSTS:
Belkin WiFi Phone: $190
SkypeOut: $12.93, which is a fill-up @ $0.021/minute of U.S. & Canada calltime
SkypeIn: $12.93, which covers all incoming calls for 90 days.
TOTAL = $215.86
VIRGIN MOBILE CELL -- THE COSTS:
Kyocera Oystr Phone: $20
Plan (optional): $6.95/mo.
Rate: $0.10/minute, $0.05/text message
Virgin Top-Off: $30.00 (gift from NMRed)
Holster for Oystr: $7.87
TOTAL (thus far) = $64.82
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9 comments :
Jeff,
Is this Virgin Mobile Cell a viable piece of equipment do you think? I've got a Cingular/ATT prepaid that is 25 cents per minute. I usually load it up for $25 (last 3 months, but I usually use the $25 within a month or two).
This sounds way better but is the quality of reception, etc. o.k.?
Yo, Jeffraham,
After about four or five months of using my Netgear WiFi phone in conjunction with my Skype account, I would agree with many of your assessments in terms of dropping calls, signaling that you've dropped a connection when you haven't etc. For now, I would say mobile phone technology is superior to WiFi mobile phones, but I think that may change with a couple of generations of phones and further proliferation of WiFi networks.
LA Sandy -- I'm diggin' the Virgin Mobile. I also have a Cingular Go phone, but am about to drop it.
Cingular = $1.00 day (every day phone is used) + $0.10/minute; minimum re-up is $15.
Virgin = $0/day + $0.18/minute, or $6.95/mo. + $0.10/minute
More options available from Virgin, too. Check 'em out.
And, if you give them my phone number (615 403 8911) when you activate your phone, and top off with at least $15 within 45 days, I get some free airtime, too. :)
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Smitty -- But you don't wanna send it back, right? I'm thinking the right firmware tweaks will set it all straight, but... will they be forthcoming?
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Jeffraham,
Yeah, this is minor stuff. I waited three extra months for this thing, and when I got it, of course, I wanted it to be perfect.
Ultimately, what I like about the phone is what I like in general about Skype, which is its flexibility and malleability. For me, it made setting up a transatlantic virtual business really super easy.
The Skype phone relies on open WiFi networks (or, presumably, you can program the phone as a device on your own network, no?). In that sense, I'd think the phone would be somewhat unreliable?
I use Skype when I work at home to join bridge lines. There are no good landline phones anymore, it seems (at least for consumers). But I am tethered to the computer. That bugs me. *sigh* Just waiting for technology to catch up.
anon -- It only works with WiFi, yes, so for many folx, this is useless. However, I bathe in 2.4GHz radio waves all day long. If I walk to Panera for lunch, there's probably not 50 ft. of that walk where I'm not covered. I have a WPA WiFi net at the condo (and yes, you can use authentication from the phone, or any open net), wireless all over campus, so... about the only times I can't use it is in transit. If I'm on the scooter, big deal -- can't scoot and talk on the phone, simultaneously! :)
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So, jeffraham,
Given the above, do you still want me to call the Skype number first, then the Virgin number?
Soprano -- Yes, dahling. I have the Skype account set to forward all incomplete calls to the cheap Virgin cell phone.
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