Santa Clara, Calif. — Networking manufacturer Netgear provided more details on the Skype Wi-Fi phone it announced during International CES.
The SPH101 will carry a suggested retail price of $249.99. The phone will allow consumers to place Skype calls from wireless hot spots that do not require browser-based authentication. It is the first Skype-certified Wi-Fi phone on the market, Netgear said.
The 802.11b/g phone is preloaded with Skype software with a color menu for viewing Skype contacts. It offers WEP and WPA-PSK wireless security
Skype, which announced version 2.5 of its PC calling software recently, said it has hit the 100 million registered user mark (globally). The company’s new software offers streamlined registration, easier access to Skype’s landline and mobile dialing features (SkypeIn and SkypeOut) and a new conference call feature — called SkypeCast — for up to 100 participants.
The phone is set to ship in the second of June.
