Biscotti Unveils Wi-Fi TV Phone

By John Laposky On Nov 21 2011 - 6:01am

MCKINNEY, TEXAS – Start-up Biscotti formally introduced its first product, the Biscotti TV Phone, a device that uses Wi-Fi to allow phone and video calling through any TV.

Boasting a small footprint that is shaped like, well, a biscotti, the device sits on or near a TV and allows unlimited free calls to other Biscotti devices as well as to computers, tablets and smartphones supporting Google Talk and Google’s open video standard.

Biscotti features a high-definition camera, a microphone with a range of about 40 feet, and a six-button remote that controls the device while a user watches TV. It can be set to automatically answer calls from select contacts and turn on the TV when a call is coming in, among other functions.

Biscotti works with Wi-Fi uplink speeds as low as 256Kbps and delivers true HD video at speeds of 1Mbps or greater, according to Biscotti founder Matthew Shoemake. It is compatible with any HDMI-enabled TV, cable or satellite box. There are no additional fees for service.

“Video calling is growing at an enormous rate — nearly 50 percent per year,” said Shoemake. “Still, only one in five people have ever made a video call, citing technical complexity, expense or lack of spontaneity. Biscotti solves this as the first single-purpose, dedicated TV phone. It’s simple to set up and as easy to use as a home phone.”

Biscotti TV Phone is now available for sale in the United States and Canada at www.biscotti.com for a $199 retail. Products will begin shipping to select retailers today.

It ships with a power adapter, mount kit and a setup guide.

Biscotti is a privately held Texasbased company backed by Palomar Ventures of Santa Monica, Calif.