Wifi Revolution

Panasonic has announced the availability of the Panasonic Wi-Fi phone for use with Skype (News - Alert). The KX-WP1050 is an easy to install and use Wi-Fi Panasonic product and is one in a series of planned products that are Skype Certified.

 

With Wi-Fi access, this new device allows Skype users to make and receive free Skype-to-Skype calls, make inexpensive SkypeOut calls to landline and mobile phones worldwide, and receive SkypeIn calls from landlines and mobiles. Included with a Wi-Fi base unit, the solution is simple to plug and use, without the need for a PC.

 

"With the growing popularity of Skype and the mass availability of broadband in homes, offices and hotels, the KX-WP1050 will be a powerful communications tool for anyone who wants to take advantage of easily accessible and either free or inexpensive Internet calling," said Mike Timar, national marketing manager, Panasonic Consumer Electronics

Company, in a Monday statement. "This exciting product will enable greater flexibility in communications for both home and business users."

 

Skype users can enjoy freedom from their PC with the Panasonic KX-WP1050, as it enables Internet calling in the home, office or other open Internet access points. The device is also available with a travel router to make it easy to Wi-Fi on the road. Business travelers business travelers can set up a Wi-Fi hotspot in their hotel room, as long as there is an available broadband Internet connection.

 

Panasonic phone users will always enjoy free Skype-to-Skype calls. When combined with the new Skype Unlimited calling plan available in the US and Canada, which provides for unlimited calling to landline and mobile phone numbers in these two countries for just $29.95 for one year, the KX-WP1050 can tremendously reduce everyday communication costs. 

 

The complexity of wireless network settings can make such a product inaccessible to many users. To combat this, Panasonic has improved the user experience by providing a complete kit, which can be set up and used by virtually anyone, even with little or not computer expertise. The travel router guarantees a secure wireless connection with automatic 256-bit AES encryption setup (WPA).

 

This new model also offers the range and security of WPA encrypted Wi-Fi technology, in addition to Quality of Service (QoS) to improve voice quality. The phone also features easy menu-driven operations, a loud handset speakerphone and a built-in headset jack for long international calls.

 

At just 0.62” think and weighing less than 4 ounces, the Panasonic phone also includes a Lithium-ion battery that can provide 55 hours of standby time and 4.5 hours of talk time. The Skype features accessible by this phone include: free Skype-to-Skype calling; Online Presence, SkypeOut; SkypeIn; Skype Voicemail; Skype Call Forwarding; Skype Conference Calls.

 

As Skype registrations continue to steadily increase, the market is ripe for manufacturers to take advantage of the opportunities that continue to abound in this space. Panasonic in particular has done well to identify the functionality and reliability that Skype users need, whether it is on the road or at home. Such an offering is sure to gain attention and propel Panasonic further into becoming the preferred standard for the Skype user.

 

 

Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMC (News - Alert) and has also written for eastbiz.com. To see more of her articles, please visit Susan J. Campbell’s columnist page.

 

 

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