Phillips VOIP321 Skype phone - initial review

Due to all the changes mentioned in other blog posts, I needed an easy way to connect to family members in Europe. As a number of them already use Skype, when I saw a deal ($25 incl shipping) for this phone at ThingFling I decided to try it out. I had some initial problems with installation, as this model is a little old and the software did not agree with my newly installed Windows 7 on the desktop. Luckily, I have a second desktop with XP alongside. Once installed and set-up of Skype was completed I found that using the phone is exceedingly easy. In addition to a normal landline capability, it has a Skype button, which retrieves your Skype Friends List and allows you to connect just like with a normal phone. In fact you can also use this phone for Skype-Out calls, i.e. with a normal phone number. You just need to make sure that sufficient credit is available on the account, but at 2c/minute a few dollars goes a long way. Of course, calls to a Skype client on a computer remain free, so I expect to be calling on the regular landline and telling the other party, "please go to the computer and I will call you via Skype there."

I have used the phone to call the UK this weekend, both ways, regular Skype and Skype-Out, and both work easily and with good clarity. It is interesting to see the phone display the Skype contacts list as a phonebook, which makes dialing very, very easy.

Google Voice - First thoughts

In conjunction with installing the AT&T Microcell, I decided to try out Google Voice connected to my cellphone. I am not using the Google Voice number feature, i.e. one number that callers dial, which then tries to connect the call to different phones, e.g. cell phone, work phone, home phone, etc. Instead I am just using it for the voice mail and cheap International calls features. The special feature of the voicemail is that messages left are transcribed to text and then sent to you as email and SMS text message. This enables me to see who called and what they said, without having to listen to a voice mail. At least that is the theory. In the couple of messages to date, the transcription accuracy is not very high. I will have to wait and see how this works out. But it is still better than knowing someone left a message but not having any idea at all what the voicemail message is about, or how important it might be. This will allow me to review an incoming message in a business situation without having to step out of the room to listen to a voicemail.

The other feature I expect to use a lot is low cost international calling plan. After the installation of the AT&T Microcell and the shutdown of our VOIP service, which had free European land line calls included, I was looking for an alternative to call our European family members. To keep things simple, I have installed a Phillips VOIP321 phone at home, which used Skype to connect (see separate review). However, Skype has stopped support for Windows Mobile 6, so although I have the software I did not trust using it. I discovered that Google Voice also provides cheap international calling, actually fractionally cheaper than Skype-Out. So I am going to be using that for my cellphone. Basically, you use your browser to initiate a call, giving both your phone, as well as the number of the called party via the net. Google Voice then calls your phone and connects you to the required party. There is a way to directly connect from your phone, but as I have a smartphone, using the browser is a much easier way to go.

There is one other added benefit, Google Voice domestic calls are free. So I can use the same call and connect me to a chosen number for the rare occasion that I need to make a long distance call, not on my cellphone and from a location with restricted dialing, e.g. client site or hotel room. I have already tried this out on a one hour call, it worked great!

AT&T Microcell - initial thoughts

Last weekend I finally managed to buy an AT&T Microcell. For those who do not know, this is a gadget that puts a cell tower in your home. We needed this because the AT&T signal at our house is dismal, even outside the house, but definitely insid, i.e. 0-1 bars. After 3 to four tires to activate the device, which the manager of the AT&T store had warned me about, we finally get 4-5 bars thoughout the house and quite a large circle outside around the house. Although a very short period I am very happy with this new toy, and am making plans to shut down our VOIP service and use our cellphones as primary phones. Technically the Microcell actually uses the Internet, like a VOIP service, but for free. Not completely for free as the device costs $150 if not purchased with an unlimited Microcell plan at $20 per month. As we have quite a number of RollOver minutes available, i.e. w do not use our monthly packet fully, we are going to use the Microcell without extra unlimited minutes. In fact, if I understand correctly, because I have two seperate accounts, one for my (business phone) and a family plan for my wife and daughter, I would need to subscribe to two unlimted microcell plans. The resultant $40 would be more than our VOIP service, so we are certainly not going down that route. However, while it is perhaps not right that we should pay to bolster AT&T's poor coverage, on the other hand, the Microcell pays for itself in 6 months as we can get rid of the VOIP service.

I have discovered one small issue, namely that my Belkin router, at a random frequency, shuts off the Internet for 5 to 15 seconds. I had actually noticed this on the VOIP service, especially on conference calls, where all of a sudden the line would be silent for 5-15 seconds. Now with the Microcell, it causes the device to lose its synch and it takes a little longer to get the signal back. Probably time to look for a new wireless/wired router.

Just got my ATT microcell, and after 4 tries, activated it. Now at least 4 bars throughout house (prev 1 to 0) Bye bye landline

How to treat your customers when things go wrong

Hope to leave soon, after 8! Hours at DTW. Should be home in bed just after 3 am


Note: As we deplaned, we received a coupon for the inconvenience, valid for 10,000 SkyMiles or $100. Now that is Customer Service! All passengers received this bonus!.

Extra Note: A week later a nice letter from Delta informaing that they had also added another 15,000 miles to my account, for the inconvenience. Delta, you really know how to treat your Elite customers well when things go wrong. Big KUDOS to you!

3 hour delayed aircraft (late arrival) now has technical problem. Off to another gate and plane. Joys of travel....

Sitting in Detroit airport, flight delayed 2 1/2 hrs, earlier flight full, so long wait :-(

Not leaving super early this Monday was nice, but TSA lines are a bear at this "normal" time

Just about to board the red-eye to Memphis :-( Connect there and then home.

At the Magic Castle in Hollywood again, 3rd time in 4 weeks. Sometimes long distance travel has benefits.

Home again :-) (great song by Hem too)

One more leg, then home for the weekend :-)

at the Magic Castle tonight :-D