iTechNote

The hypes of Apple’s iPhone ended when Linksys released the iPhone series. The iPhone series has two families - iPhone and WIP.

The iPhone family has four members, from basic VOIP handset that requires a PC to the most expensive standalone CIT400 model. The differences lie in the level of convenience the product gives to end user and the “VOIP software” that is pre-installed on the phone.

The benefits of VOIP are nothing new to many of us as we have used PC based VOIP solution, such as Skype. However, there are people out there who are not comfortable with or do not like phone calls using a PC. These people are the targeted buyers of iPhone.

Oddly, only one out of four iPhone model run without a PC. The rest of the model requires a USB base station with external power and twelve steps to install the telephony kit.

The WIP family is much more interesting than iPhone family. These Wi-Fi enabled handsets look very much like a mobile phone except you will probably hit into problem when you try to call beyond the Wi-Fi range. Only the high-end model WIP330 supports hot spot authentication with the built-in browser, which helps to extend its usefulness beyond home.

There are three models in total - two generic SIPv2 handsets and one Skype handset. With the generic handsets, you need to subscribe to an Internet Telephony Service Provider (ITSP) before you can make calls. Popular ITSPs such as Vonage offers unlimited plan starting $24.99/month.

As most ITSPs offer a phone adapter or handset when you sign up for their service, Linksys will have a hard time selling the product alone unless they bundle it with a ITSP plan. You can purchase these products at Amazon.com.