New York — The growing popularity of PC-based calling services from Yahoo!, AOL, Google, Skype and others is catalyzing a drive by peripheral manufacturers to offer more VoIP-enabled accessories.
Sony jumped into the VoIP market with a combination USB handset/mouse that the company says will be Skype certified shortly.
The clamshell mouse flips open to become a VoIP phone for PC-based phone services. It features a hands-free speakerphone, and when a call is in process, the scroll wheel doubles as a volume controller.
The mouse features a blue LED to alert users to incoming calls and can ring. It offers echo-cancellation and will be available in black, white and blue.
Peripheral maker Mvox announced a distribution deal with RadioShack. The retail will stock the MV100 USB speakerphone for use with PC services such as Skype, Yahoo! Messenger and AOL Instant Messenger.
The unit, which retails for a suggested $39.99, features echo-cancellation, noise suppression and 110 dB peak volume.
