VoIP leader Skype announced today at IFA 2006 that its partners Philips and NetGear have each launched cordless phones which can place and receive calls both from traditional landlines and via the Skype VoIP service—all without requiring a computer.
“We are broadening our reach to mass consumers by offering them the opportunity to communicate via Skype without having to be tied to the computer,” said Stefan Oeberg, Skype’s general manager of desktop and hardware in a release. “Skype has already introduced Wi-Fi phones and Skype for PocketPC wireless. Now Skype is taking the next step and working together with Philips and Netgear to introduce PC-free cordless phones. The cordless phones for Skype launched today, give Skype users the flexibility to enjoy free Skype to Skype calls and inexpensive calls to ordinary and mobile phones anywhere in the house, at any time without a running computer.”
