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VoIP<br />
VoIP Accessories<br />
Begone, chintzy mics and desk leash. The latest softphone<br />
accessories refine and widen your VoIP world. —A.M.M.<br />
Belkin Wi-Fi<br />
Phone for Skype<br />
$180 • belkin.com<br />
This handset lets you make Skype<br />
calls from any hot spot, including<br />
Boingo. Consistency, however, is not<br />
its strength. It logged on to our own<br />
and public wireless networks fine,<br />
yet despite identifying Boingo hot<br />
spots, it connected with only one.<br />
Call quality is solid overall, but the<br />
cramped keys aren’t digit-friendly.<br />
Panasonic Wi-Fi<br />
Phone for Skype<br />
Executive Travel<br />
Set (KX-WP1050)<br />
$400 • panasonic.com<br />
This CFO-priced bundle includes a<br />
router and Wi-Fi phone for roaming<br />
Skype calls. But the handset takes<br />
eons to power up, and you must<br />
enter encryption info at every location<br />
(unless at a public hot spot).<br />
A pain in our executive neck.<br />
Jabra GN9350<br />
$349 • jabra.com<br />
Landline or PC, this wireless<br />
headset doesn’t discriminate.<br />
Connect the base station to<br />
a USB port and phone jack, then<br />
tap the phone or PC button to<br />
select your dialing mode. Calls come<br />
in <strong>sm</strong>oothly, barring some background<br />
hum. Despite the headset’s<br />
scant weight (0.9 ounce), we<br />
could never get it to sit just right.<br />
Philips VOIP841<br />
$199 • philips.com<br />
Like the Linksys CIT400, this<br />
wireless handset handles landline<br />
and Skype calls. Setup is equally<br />
simple, powering up and connecting<br />
to Skype is wicked fast, and<br />
all of our powwows with pals<br />
came through loud and clear. The<br />
spacious keypad and large rocker<br />
button are particularly accommodating<br />
to chubby fingers.<br />
Linksys Dual-Mode<br />
Internet Telephony<br />
Kit CIT400<br />
$150 • linksys.com<br />
Get Skype and a landline rolled into<br />
one. Connect the base station to<br />
a phone jack and router, and enter<br />
a few settings into the handset.<br />
As you dial, select SkypeOut or<br />
landline. Number buttons are well<br />
spaced, and calls sound crisp,<br />
particularly on the landline.<br />
Plantronics<br />
.Audio 480 Virtual<br />
Phone Booth<br />
$90 ($110 with USB<br />
adapter) • plantronics.com<br />
In-ear buds aren’t everyone’s<br />
cup of tea, but Plantronics’ have<br />
a pleasingly snug fit, though the<br />
boom mic kept slipping out at<br />
first. Sound was crystal clear,<br />
and in-line volume and mute controls<br />
are within easy reach.<br />
Logitech<br />
ClearChat Pro<br />
USB Headset<br />
$50 • logitech.com<br />
Though it features a cushiony headband<br />
and earpads, this headset still<br />
feels stiff on the noggin. But you<br />
won’t mind the pinch once the talk<br />
starts flowing. Voices seem incredibly<br />
close and pristine, and volume<br />
controls are easily accessed by<br />
just tapping the right headphone.<br />
EDITORS’<br />
PICK<br />
SanDisk Cruzer<br />
Contour<br />
$190 • sandisk.com<br />
Traveling sans laptop? You can<br />
still VoIP when you arrive. Plug<br />
this 8-GB USB 2.0 stick into any<br />
PC, and a few clicks later you’ll be<br />
running Skype. (A 4-gig version<br />
is half the price.) Bonus: A cool<br />
slider mechani<strong>sm</strong> hides and<br />
reveals the USB connector, so<br />
there’s no cap for you to lose.<br />
WIRED TEST<br />
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