Cobra Bows PhoneLynx

By TWICE Staff -- TWICE, 6/6/2011

CHICAGO — Cobra Electronics has introduced a Bluetooth-enabled device that allows users to make and receive cellular calls from a home landline phone, intended to help consumers wean themselves off landline service.

The Cobra PhoneLynx plugs into any home phone and works with any Bluetooth- enabled cellphone. A free Android app adds an advanced feature set for Andriod phones including voice dial, message waiting, speed dial, auto hands-free, voicemail and alarm clock functionality.

Cobra cited research by the Beacon Hill Institute of Massachusetts, showing landline phone service averages nearly $50 per month nationwide, despite the fact that the vast majority of homes own one or more mobile phones, essentially doubling a home’s telecom costs. In addition to eliminating landline phone bills, PhoneLynx allows users to take advantage of carry-over minutes, free night and weekend calling, and unlimited calling plans, Cobra said..

Users can improve cellphone reception quality by placing their mobile phone in a a location in their home with the best signal strength, yet make and receive calls from any home phone.

“As U.S. households increasingly abandon landline service in favor of a mobile phone-only, single number digital lifestyle, Cobra PhoneLynx is ideally suited for that transition,” said Sally Washlow, marketing and sale senior VP. “This unique device offers the advantages of both service types, while eliminating the cost and hassle of a monthly home phone bill. With a one-time cost of under $60, and an average three-year cost savings of $1,800, our customers are finding Cobra PhoneLynx to be a very easy purchase decision.”

It retails for $59.99.