Editorial Review:Item Description:VOIP841 series is the first DECT cordless phone with Skype that works without a PC, offering consumers total flexibility and independence from the PC. A full-color graphic display and outstanding sound clarity bring the emotion back to calls. Use your VOIP phone to call via Skype wherever you are. With Skype you can enjoy making free calls all over the world to any other Skype users. Skype, SkypeOut are trademarks of Skype Limited. As your dual phone is connected to both the standard PSTN line AND to the Internet line, you can establish or receive landline and Internet calls on the same handset. Handsfree mode uses a built-in loud speaker to amplify the voice of the caller, allowing you to speak and listen during a call without holding the phone to your ear. This is especially useful if you want to share the call with others or take notes during a call.
Amazon.com Item Description:  | The Philips VOIP841 Wireless IP Phone offers: - The ability to make Skype calls without a computer.
- It can be used as a landline telephone and an Internet phone.
- A full-color display for clear and easy navigation.
- Memory for up to 500 phonebook entries.
|  | |
The Philips VOIP841 is the first completely independent DECT cordless phone that lets you make Skype calls without a PC. And with the added flexibility of letting you connect your land line, this phone can take care of all your calling needs.
Use the VOIP841 to make free Skype calls to anywhere in the world without a computer. View larger. |
Quick Installation and Convenience The Philips VOIP841 is a self-contained unit that requires no installation of software or connection to a computer; simply plug the base into any power outlet in your house, connect it to your broadband connection, and you can start making free Skype telephone calls right away. (To make Skype calls, you must open a Skype account. A Skype account is not included with this phone.)
And by simply plugging your home telephone line into the VOIP841, this phone can double as your everyday landline, giving you the ultimate in convenience.
Easy to Use If you've used a cell phone or cordless phone, you'll quickly be able to take advantage of all the features the VOIP841 offers. For easy readability, the phone features a 128x128 full-color display, and a 4-way directional pad provides you with easy navigation through the intuitive interface. The handset has enough memory for up to 500 Skype phonebook entries, giving you quick access to your contact list.
You can choose from up to 15 ring tones (5 standard, 10 polyphonic), and the phone allows you to set your ring tone by call type, distinguishing between landline and Internet calls. A speakerphone mode allows for hands-free operation, so you can take notes during the call or share the call with others. There is also a jack connector on the handset for connecting a headset.
DECT Frequency for Security and Extended Battery Life By using the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) frequency at 1.8GHz, the VOIP841 offers you enhanced security features and a longer battery life than other frequencies. On battery power, the VOIP841 offers talk time of up to 12 hours and a standby time of up to 120 hours.
Each base station can accommodate up to four handsets, and up to four base stations can be used together for a total of 16 handsets. For office or home use, the intercom mode allows you to use one handset to call another handset located in a different room.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
-
* Good stuff ...
I've had this unit for a while (6+ months). Good call clarity and range. My only issue is reported battery life. I've used the stock rechargeables and brand new Energizer nickel hydrides. In all cases the battery meter indicates something less than 1/2 capacity even when fully (recently) recharged. I haven't actually measuring the standby or use time, but it seems ok. My issue is if the phone thinks that the batteries are low it will start to beep reminders during the call. I've had it beep reminders for a complete hour during a call. Its pretty clear that the batteries have juice and the unit can operate. Maybe a firmware update to more appropriately recognize voltage in the batteries?
Rating: 
-
* What's with the new price of $ 449.99 ...
I bought this phone on Amazon on March 12th 2008 for $ 104.99. Why is is now listed for $ 449.99???
Rating: -
* Great phone ... so far ...
This is great product available today, but has a long way to get to the high level standards we used to with cell phones.
Pros:
* great functionality - use Skype with your computer down
* great voice transmission quality
* good DECT and Skype reception
* easy installation
* good design
* nice loud speaker
Cons:
* My charger stopped working after a week
* Not so user friendly menus - far from what we used to with today's cellphones
* phone screen is small - contact info need to be scrolled all the time
* Acts as a separate Skype application - i.e. impossible to transfer calls between PC & the phone while talking
Rating: -
* I'm Saving Money With This One. ...
Over the years me and my wife had different phone services from different companies. But lately we had the impression of being constantly being ripped off with poor service, expensive rates and even worse costumer service. Then we discovered this device, the Philips VOIP841. And what a joy it is to be able to show a finger to all those expensive services from foreign companies that simply don't care (consider that we live in Brazil, paradise for predatory corporate monopolies). Long live VoIP!
Rating: 
-
* \"System is starting up\" message and freezes the phone ...
ThisPhilips VOIP841 PC-Free DECT 6.0 Wireless IP Phone phone I got for around $105 from amazon. And I feel its not worth the price. I hope no one shells out $400 odd for this device.
Well, the features etc are discussed in all the reviews so I want to warn the buyer of a potential problem. I have connected the phone to a Netgear wireless router and configured it properly and I can make and receive calls just fine. Well, I am saying this to let you know my set up is fine. When the phone is left on for a while it freezes up with a message "System is starting up". It does not let you turn it off. The base reset button does not work. I had to switch of the base then remove the batteries from the handset and after a small prayer/ expletives (depends on how many attempts were made)start all of them again. Mostly this would work but there have been occasions it did not and I had to do this whole cycle 3 - 5 times. I have the latest firmware and the system is set to auto update.
This problem repeats itself every other day and I dont think resetting the power cycle is a solution to this bug.
I am not alone with this problem check skype forums,google with the error message and you will know its not a random defect. Philips has very poor software support for the phone. Its surprising such a pricey phone cannot have a better firmware update.
I wish i can send it back to amazon but its now more than 30 days..its been almost 5 months I am having this problem.
So you can gamble if you want. I wish I had seen a review that warned me about this.
