USRobotics Tethered USB Skype Phone

By Geoff Duncan Published May 8, 2006

USRobotics Tethered USB Skype Phone — Image used with permission by copyright holder

USRobotics‘ USR9600 USB Internet Phone may not win ny awards for its form factor or for features which would rival 3G smartphones from major manufacturers, but it may win some kudos for doing one thing right and inexpensively: it carries a retail price of $49.99 but is being sold for $36.97, and the tethered USB Internet phone works seamlessly with VoIP service Skype, enabling users to place calls to other Skype users worldwide, or to standard telephones via the SkypeOut service.

While the USB Internet Phone is tethered to your USB (1.1 or 2.0) port, by not going wireless via Bluetooth or other cordless technology, the phone sits lighter in your pocketbook, coming in $70 to $100 less than cordless Skype handset competitors. The USB Internet Phone features an LCD screen with fixed-height characters (sorry, no backlight), supports Caller ID, full duplex operation, requires no batteries, and works with Windows 2000 and XP, as well as Mac OS X.

Recommended Videos

If you’re looking for something more suitable to an office or conference room, USRobotics also offers a $49.99 USB Internet Speakerphone which also operates off power from the USB port. Flashy? No. An inexpensive way to get someone using Skype? Certainly.

Former Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Phones

The best note-taking apps for iOS and Android

I tested these apps for months so your notes never have to switch homes again.

iPhone showing note-taking apps

Choosing a note-taking app is not easy. What note-taking app you choose depends on your needs, the platform you use, and of course, the cost. The process becomes even more complicated as it seems that there’s a new shiny app released every other week.

That’s why I always suggest choosing a note-taking app that has all the features you need and can last you for a long time. Also, don’t chase new apps. The real power of a note-taking app comes when all your notes live in one place, making it easy to spot connections between them.

Phones

The best phones in 2026: our 14 favorite smartphones right now

We tested phones across all price brackets so that you can make the best pick based on your needs and budget.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold vs Galaxy Z Fold 7 cameras

Choosing the right smartphone in 2026 is no easy task. Apple and Android manufacturers now have strong options at almost every price, while better cameras, longer battery life, improved software support, new AI features, and more refined foldable designs have made the market more competitive than ever. But picking one is not easy, especially if your budget is tight, or you are just legitimately concerned about getting the best value for your money and need a reliable daily driver for long-term usage.

We have tested and compared the leading smartphones available today, looking beyond the spec sheet to see how they actually perform in daily use. Camera quality, battery life, performance, display quality, software, design, and long-term value all play a part in our recommendations. Whether you are looking for a powerful flagship, a dependable budget phone, a compact device, or a foldable, this guide should help narrow down your choices.

Mobile

Snapchat Planets Meaning: Order, Rankings, and How Friend Solar System Works

Snapchat Planets turns your best friends list into a solar system, and yes, your orbit says a lot

Snapchat Planets being shown on the Snapchat app on iPhone.

Snapchat+ includes several exclusive features, but few have generated as much curiosity as Snapchat Planets. Part of the app's Friend Solar System, it transforms your Best Friends list into a planetary ranking, assigning each of your top eight friends a planet based on how often you interact.

From Mercury, which represents your closest friend, to Neptune, which represents your eighth closest, the system offers a quick visual snapshot of your interactions. But what do the different planets actually mean, and how does Snapchat decide who gets which one?