[chikakeru]

Read that zyxel has a mobile phone that can be used with skpeout.
anyone has used this or is using something else in HK ?

[Baron]

There are phones you can buy now that plug into your USB port, and use as a normal handset. Skype is the clearest online ive used anyway. You could use MSN messenger also with webcam/voice.

[JohanSWE]

There is a competitor to skype called Woize, looks pretty much like a clone but dont judge it, unlike Skype, woize gives you a real landline phone number also so people can cal your computer! for the cost of a local call for them.
And just like Skype, woize is Swedish..yeah i just had to mention it :P go Sweden go! hehehe and the sound Quallity is usualy good.
The landline numers are limited to a few countries but its working great for me, i used it alot and can recommend it.
Oh and yeah it supports USB handsets.
/J

[lowlight]

Originally Posted by JohanSWE

There is a competitor to skype called Woize, looks pretty much like a clone but dont judge it, unlike Skype, woize gives you a real landline phone number also so people can cal your computer! for the cost of a local call for them.
And just like Skype, woize is Swedish..yeah i just had to mention it :P go Sweden go! hehehe and the sound Quallity is usualy good.
The landline numers are limited to a few countries but its working great for me, i used it alot and can recommend it.
Oh and yeah it supports USB handsets.
/J

it is a Skype clone

And unless the person who is calling you is from Sweden, Norway or Netherlands, it's pretty useless, as those are the only local #'s you can choose from. Skype gives you numbers from USA, UK, HK (but not Canada )

[Azuremain]

Wow, sounds interesting.

I know you will say go figure on google, but maybe someone wouldn't mind to give me a brief "Skype for Dummies" introduction? I mean what hardware/software do I need to buy and do I need to register with something and is it totally free etc.? Thx.

[normad]

Skype is free. Just download the software on www.skype.com, install it on your computer and you are set. Of course, you would need the basic hardware--a headset with a microphone, connected to your computer's soundcard.

After installation, you can let your friends know what your skype username is, and ask them to sign up, so that you can call each other for free.

To call those who don't have skype or who just don't use the computer (like my parents), you can dial their landline number for a low rate. This is called SkypeOut. You can purchase credits on Skype's web site, at either 10 or 25 euros each time.

There is also the SkypeIn service. It gives you a "local" number in say, USA or Hong Kong (you have a pretty good choice of countries), and people in those countries can call you as if they were calling someone local. For each "local" number, you pay about 30 euros per year. It is a pretty good deal if you know someone is going to call you a lot. But remember, your computer has to be on for people to reach you. You have the option of redirecting their calls to another number, like your landline, office phone or mobile phone. But you will have to pay a per-minute charge for these incoming calls, so beware.

[chikakeru]

Thanks for all the reply, I ended up buying a linksys CIT-200 wireless phone for skype, it is a wireless phone, the base station connects to my PC via USB. so i dial from the phone, and i dont need to be nextto my PC when i use skype. Price is 880 HKD list. Quality is pretty good.

[normad]

Hi Chikakeru,
Where did you buy the phone. Would like to buy it too once I move to Hong Kong

[HKFella]

Originally Posted by normad

Hi Chikakeru,
Where did you buy the phone. Would like to buy it too once I move to Hong Kong

Here's one option:http://www.expansys.com.hk/product.asp?code=128837, and another: http://www.expansys.com.hk/product.asp?code=129710

Or for other countries, search for CIT200 in simply www.expansys.com, or after selecting a country site from top bar.

[HKFella]

In concept, this one seems even better (landline and VOIP on the same cordless phone). But in practice, no idea how good.
http://www.expansys.com.hk/product.asp?code=119611