RTX ships PC-free Skype phone
updated 10:05 am EST, Fri November 24, 2006
RTX DUALphone 3088
RTX on Thursday said it had released the DUALphone 3088. The Skype phone is the first such device to ship that doesn't require a host computer to work, according to the company. Its use of DECT allows it to be setup with a Skype account as long as its included base station is connected through Ethernet to a modem or router; the cordless handset can in turn send and receive phone calls to any real-world phone number or Skype user. Support exists for virtually every voice-related function, RTX claims. Conference calls, contact lists, and voicemail boxes function as they do on a PC. RTX will make its DUALphone available on December 1st across Europe for 159 Euros ($206) after tax. A North American release is possible but remains unconfirmed.
