Netgear go Mobile Phone Market

Netgear's Wi-Fi phone cuts the cord for Skype fans
VoIP service lets you make free phone calls around the globe, but it usually forces you to sit close to a PC and wear a clunky headset. Netgear and eBay-owned Skype hope to change that by releasing a Wi-Fi phone that makes calls without a computer. This shiny white handset comes with Skype software installed, aiming to make setup simple: Just get within range of a Wi-Fi network, turn on the phone, and log on to your Skype account. SkypeOut customers can also ring non-VoIP users via their landlines or cell phones. Pricing is expected within the first quarter of this year, at shipping time.
But if you're already irate when your cell phone calls drop out, expect more pain trying to talk via VoIP on a flaky Wi-Fi network. Thus, Netgear is pitching its RangeMax WPN824 Wireless Router as the latest gadget to eliminate Wi-Fi dead zones and interference.
Several other handsets join the flurry of Skype-related releases at CES this week. However, the Netgear model doesn't add extra monthly fees to the phone service. eBay-Skype is also announcing a partnership with Kodak that allows Skype users to share photos, a tool that users of Yahoo Messenger with Voice already enjoy.

Samsung's high-speed ZX20

Samsung brings GSM into the fast lane with its new Samsung ZX20 cell phone. It's one of the first cell phones in the US to support HSDPA networks, a 3.5G technology that's the next evolution of 3G UMTS networks. And when I say fast, I mean it. Although there's still no US carrier that operates a full-scale HSDPA network for cell phones, HSDPA data speeds should range from 384Kbps up to several megabytes. That's like getting the zippiest broadband network on your wireless device. Besides streaming video and audio, you'll be able to download large files and graphics-heavy Web pages in a flash.
Other features on the Samsung ZX20 look very promising. Included are a 1.3-megapixel camera with video (though I was hoping for at least two megapixels), a digital media player for AAC and MP3 files, Bluetooth 2.0, a speakerphone, a TransFlash card slot, text and multimedia messaging, instant messaging (AOL, ICQ, and Yahoo) and quad-band (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) world-phone support. My only complaint thus far is that the flip-phone design is a bit humdrum. Of course, I'll have to save my final verdict on the Samsung ZX20 when I can see it running on a widely available HSDPA network, which may take some time. Although Cingular now operates an HSDPA network for laptop users with a modem card, we're not sure when it will roll out to cell phones. And even when it does, it will be restricted to urban areas. T-Mobile, on the other hand, will take a little longer, with an estimated 3G launch in 2007.

Sony Ericsson K610i

Phone type: Triband
Networks: GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900
Connectivity options: 3G, GPRS, WAP, Java, Bluetooth, USB
Weight w/battery: 92 g
Max. talktime (in hours): 7 hours
Max. standby time (in hours): 400 hours
Additional functions: Push email (P-IMAP); modem; file manager; USB 2.0 mass storage drive; RSS feeds; NetFront browser
Expected: Q2 2006