Review of the Philips VOIP1511B/37 Skype Travel Phone

Voice Over IP (VOIP) is a great new technology that is quickly pushing it's way into the home and cell phone market. For one low monthly, or sometimes yearly fee, you can easily connect to anyone, no matter where in the world they are. Skype is one shining example of this technology. They offer a free way to communicate with other users no matter what country, state, or city they happen to be in. All you really need for this technology is a microphone and/or video camera on your computer. To make it easier and more realistic, they have also come out with several phone options for this software. One of those options is the Phillips VOIP 1511 phone. These are some very cell phone looking little devices that easily connect to any computer that has a USB port. The Phillips phone is very easy to connect and set up. There area a few problems though. The benefits often outweigh the cost, and these phones are perfect for anyone that travels. You can now easily keep in touch with friends, family, or work no matter where you may roam.

One of the biggest problems with this device is the cord. Phillips is usually very good in the design of their products, but there were a couple lapses in this design. This may be attributed to the speed at which it was released and the price bracket that they wanted to stay in, but there are some design flaws. The most glaring of these flaws is the cord. There is no retractable storage for it. This cord really gives it a generic feel and appearance and would be much easier to travel with had they included a retractable cord with the device. The use of a couple twisty ties or some Velcro can help to aid you in this, but there is still the matter of the cord dangling. In this world of Bluetooth and wireless technology, you would think that they could incorporate something this simple in the phone's design. Do not let this deter you though. The phone still works well and gives great call clarity and quality.

One other problem with the phone is the numeric keypad. Many people have had problems with the phone crashing their system or the keypad just refusing to function. This problem was mostly found with Windows machines, primarily Acer brands, but was occasionally found across several platforms. Skype has apparently fixed this glitch, and most of the phones are now working. If you have a problem with the keypad, you can contact Skype for a patch or help in getting it to work. For many, this is a pain, but once again, the benefits often outweigh the cost.

The only other drawback for this device is that it is not compatible with the latest versions of Skype. You will find that you have to use version 3.5 or 3.8 for the phone to function correctly. This is easily fixed with a simple download though. Some of the features and tools found in 4.0 and higher versions will not be available, but by keeping both versions on your computer, you can easily switch between versions depending on the device you are using at the time.

When it comes to call clarity and reliability, you really have to turn to your internet connection. The slower your connection, the worse your service will be. This is true with any VOIP program that you may use. The Phillips VOIP phone, though, has some of the best call quality that you can find in one of these devices. On a fast connection, you can not find a better phone service. The lack of fees for long distance are another boon to this software. If you travel around town or around the globe, this phone is one of the best you can get. The only problems that you will come across are very minimal compared to the benefits. This phone has several features that you will find very useful. It is a very simple phone in design and function, but it works wonders for your Skype account. All the yelling that you had to do in the past is now gone. You can get high quality phone service for free or a small fee to call non-Skype numbers. This is a great little device that is perfect for anyone on the go. If you use Skype for business, this phone will even ring whenever someone calls your office, no matter where you are. You can easily and affordably take your office with you, anywhere in the world.

Sources:

Review - Phillips VOIP1511B/37 Skype Travel Phone

Skype Travel Phone Review From VOIPReview.org

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