Source: www.voip-news.com

Network-1 Security Solutions, Inc. has agreed to settle its court battle with NETGEAR. NETGEAR was accused of infringing on Network-1’s Remote Power Patent.

Under the settlement, NETGEAR will have a non-elusive license to the technology that runs through March 2020, paying quarterly royalties based on the sales of its Power over Ethernet products. Additionally, there will be an upfront payment of $350,000.

“We are very pleased that NETGEAR agreed to take advantage of the terms of our Special Licensing Program and become a licensee of our Remote Power Patent,” commented Corey M. Horowitz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Network-1. “This outcome is consistent with Network-1’s goal of making licenses available to the technologies covered by the Remote Power Patent to the Power over Ethernet industry in a manner that promotes the widespread adoption of this important industry standard.”

According to Network-1:

The Remote Power Patent relates to, among other things, delivering power over Ethernet cables to remotely power network connected devices including, among others, wireless switches, wireless access points, RFID card readers, VoIP telephones and network cameras. In June 2003, the IEEE approved the 802.3af PoE Standard which led to the rapid adoption of PoE. The IEEE is currently working on the 802.3at Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE Plus) Standard which will increase the maximum power delivered to network devices to 40-60 watts from the current 15 watts under the 802.3af Standard.

Source: voipcentral.org

The Consumer Electronics Show 2007 proved big event of the week with great many products and technologies displayed by different companies. Taking opportunity of the occasion, Netgear and Thomson SA showcased their new VoIP phones that enable users to make and receive Skype calls as well as regular phone calls.

Netgear SPH200D: It is a dual-mode cordless phone communicates with a base station in the home. The base station uses DECT cordless phone standard to connect wirelessly to the phone. It supports up to four Netgear handsets.

With SPH200D, the customers can access their regular Skype contact list and their available status. They can select to make phone calls either via landline or using Skype. At the same time, they can also access to SkypOut service, which let them to make Skype calls to landline phones. The price of the phone is US$199.

Thomson GE-branded phone system: It is also based on DECT technology and allows users to make Skype as well as landline calls. They can also conduct conference calls with up to four VoIP users and conference both landline and VoIP callers. Thomson plans to release it in the spring.

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Source: voipcentral.org

The wait is finally over . The first WiFi Skype phone, SPH101 manufactured by Netgear is now available in the major countries of the world. It is very soon reaching the local stores in Asia-Pacific region including Malaysia and Thailand, reports ZDNet Asia.

Showcased in January this year, the SPH101 WiFi phone is pre-loaded with Skype software to allow Skype users to make unlimited free national and international calls to fellow Skype users over a wireless network without a PC.

Features

1.Pre-Loaded with Skype Software

2.PC need not be on for VoIP calls

3.Better call quality

4.Smaller size with smooth design

5.Rival to UTStarcom F1000 of Vonage

6.Displays the time, SkypeOut credits, the battery charge and Wi-Fi signal strength.

7.Enables SkypeOut calls

The price of the handheld device is US$226. The Santa Clara-based Netgear also plans to introduce multiple language support to the Skype phone this year.

Source: voipcentral.org

Skype WiFi Phone dubbed as SPH101 is the winner of the prestigious Breakthrough Award for 2006. Popular Mechanics, Americas most trusted science and technology magazine since 1902, has awarded the coveted Breakthrough Award.

James Meigs, editor-in-chief of Popular Mechanics comments,

We spend much of the year evaluating and reporting on hundreds of new and emerging technologies. The Breakthrough Product Awards highlight winning technology solutions that promise to empower our savvy readership by saving them money, and injecting a healthy dose of fun and adventure into their everyday lives.

The SPH101 is the first major Netgear release for Skype. The handheld device provides the Skype users to make unlimited free national and international calls to other Skype users over a wireless network without a PC.

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Source: voipcentral.org

The global provider of technological and networking products, Netgear has officially announced the release of its much-awaited Skype branded SPH101 Wi-Fi Phone.

Perhaps, it is the first major Netgear release for Skype. Dubbed as SPH101, the latest handheld device enables the Skypers to make unlimited free domestic and international calls to other Skype users over a wireless network in the absence of a computer.

Features

1.Pre-Loaded with Skype Software

2.PC need not be on for VoIP calls

3.Better call quality

4.Smaller size with smooth design

5.Rival to UTStarcom F1000 of Vonage

6.Displays the time, SkypeOut credits, the battery charge and Wi-Fi signal strength.

7.Enables SkypeOut calls

Disadvantages

1.No instant messaging Facility

2.No video service

3.Becomes useless from commercial hotspots

4.Short battery life with two hours talk time and twenty hours on standby

5.Too expensive (170)

Despite these limitations, the SPH101 will be widely accepted by the Skype users who want to enjoy Skype services in a truly mobile fashion, without a PC.

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Source: voipcentral.org

Truly, Skype brings complete freedom to its users by launching its much-awaited cordless phones that do not require computers for VoIP calls. These phones would be preloaded with its hardware partners Philips and Netgear and set to hit the telecommunication market by the year-end.

EBay-acquired Skype, which dominates a major part of Voice market with above 113 million subscribers, has already introduced Wi-Fi phones and Skype for PocketPC wireless. However, these phones somehow require computers to function.

In a move to further enhance its services and extent its market reach, Skype has joined hands with leading hardware developers Philips and Netgear to launch its first PC-free Cordless phones.

With its launch, the Skype users across the world are now granted absolute freedom of move while making free Skype to Skype calls and inexpensive calls to ordinary and mobile phones anytime and anywhere without PCs.

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Source: voipcentral.org

I read Om Maliks post in GigaOm titled Who will really make money in VoIP? In fact, a sound question which he answers very judiciously.

Will VoIP meet a similar fate what WiFi witnessed some years ago? It is no more a secret the hardware manufacturers like Netgear, Linksys and D-Link and chips makers made a huge profit for their Wi-Fi products and service providers failed to make money for their offerings.

Is it going to happen with VoIP? If not, just consider- Vonage incurred a heavy loss in the Q2. The Q2 result has also discouraged Verizon. Other bigwigs such as Skype and Sun Rocket are struggling to make money with their offering. On the contrary, Netgear, Logitech and Linksys are making windfall profits. These companies manufacture VoIP devices whose cost ranges from $100-to-$300.

Take the case of Netgear. The company will make a huge profit for its $250 wireless Skype phone. Logitech is also expecting a big profit for its three new VoIP devices-desktop, a Bluetooth headset and a speakerphone. Prices of these products are moderate to lure the customers.

In conclusion, Om Malik writes,

I just wonder if this is the new model a model of limited profitability in the post-PSTN standards based world. If that is indeed true, does that mean we are seeing an end of an era of specialized chip maker, and larger index-fund like approach is going to be the way for chip companies to survive and earn a living? And what do venture capitalists do in these times of reduced profitability cycle? Unfortunately, I do not have answers, just questions. Hopefully, you will fill in the blanks.

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Source: voipcentral.org

NETGEAR made a pre-announcement for its new Skype WiFi Phone for pre-order. The company has decided not to divulge further information on Skype still June. NETGEAR is going to adopt a new strategy to sell the device costing US$249.99.

NETGEAR had the orders from tens of thousands of customers. Now the company plans to work on it. The companys new IP telephone phone will carry the model number SPH101 loaded with Skype software. The internet telephone of NETGEAR will enable the user to access the Skype service anywhere in the world.

The phone has a color screen to display Skype contacts. In the competitive market, there are number of Wi-Fi telephony phones. But SPH101 is the only Wi-Fi phone which bears Skype Certified logo.

The Wi-Fi Skype Phone is developed by the latest technologies and ready to hit the market very soon.

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