Cisco Systems’ Linksys division introduced two new VoIP phones to be used in conjunction with Skype’s VoIP service. At the same time, Linksys announced that its VoIP handset products – some of which have been on the market since the summer of 2004 – will now all carry a family name: iPhone.
The new iPhone Dual-Mode Internet Telephony Kit for Skype (CIT400) embeds the Skype communications client into a cordless phone base station that is attached directly to the home network via Ethernet, making it easy to place calls to other Skype users, mobile phones, or landlines without turning on a computer. Linksys expects this item to retail for $179.99.
The new iPhone Wireless-G Phone for Skype (WIP320) makes Skype portable by integrating it into a wireless-G handset, allowing consumers to place calls from anywhere they can connect to a wireless access point.
Linksys expects a retail price of $199.99.
Linksys says it has shipped more than 3 million VoIP products worldwide. The five models already being sold include wireless G models, and dual-mode models. One of the latter is marketed with Yahoo! Messenger.