IPEVO2 Free-1 Phone
reviewed by Chris Marshall
IPEVO www.ipevo.com/v2/prod/p000005.htm Released: June, 2006 $34.99 USD, $39.45 CND, £19.05 GBP, 27,70Û Euro Audience: Mac Users who use Skype a lot and want a phone with the form factor of a Mac. Strengths: GREAT design, simple to use, programmable keys, works exceptionally well. Weaknesses: Ships with Windows-only CD, little complicated setting up audio settings. |
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What they say: Free-1 is an advanced USB phone specially made for active Skype users. With lightweight and stylish design, it is a lot more fun using Skype! Programmable buttons provides users with higher level of convenience. It allows users to have better control of Skype and make SkypeOut calls via the keypad. Ten different ring tones alert users of incoming calls. Other functions include volume control, mic mute, speed dial, and LED light indication. Free-1 allows you to contact people around the world for free.
- Fully integrated with Skype
- User programmable buttons enhances customization
- Smart and stylish design. Small form factor and lightweight
- 10 selectable ring tones (include silent)
- USB Plug-and-Play technology
- PC sound card not required
- Independent use of phone and sound card allows for Skype call while listening to music on PC
- LED indicates USB connection state plus off-hook condition
- Acoustically isolated speaker and microphone to eliminate echo
- Built-in volume control & mute button
What I say: This product could well warrant 5 stars, it is just that if I give it a perfect score now what will I give it when they enhance it? I am sure they will one day, but I struggle to see how they can improve it.
I have used Skype for years, right from their very first Beta on Windows. At the moment I have a number of accounts with them:
- We have a home user that has a two Skype In numbers and a Skype Out account. It is permanently on line through our Windows Desktop. We use an Olympia Du@L base cordless phone on this account which also connects to a landline.
- My wife has her own user account with a Skype Out number on her Windows Notebook, with a Cyber Phone K which is a very early model and made for a really good comparison with the Free-1 phone.
- I have a user loaded on my PowerBook to support my Mac-related stuff and I now use the Free-1 with it. I tried both of the above on my PowerBook and luckily for me they didnÕt work J
Opening the box was a treat – the size, color and form factor are right Òup thereÓ with the Mac stuff. The packaging doesnÕt come close I must admit, but the pleasure upon opening was as high. I got the white version, which was perfect for me and my PowerBook, but I bet the black one would work great with the black MacBook!
My initial excitement was dampened a little when I realized that it shipped with the Windows-only CD. A quick search through the web site sourced the Mac download[1], which was simple to install – but it would be wouldnÕt it!!
The Free-1 has a neat little control application that comes with it which is great for fiddling with a few settings. I struggled with the right audio In/Out combination, which was partly my ignorance, partly because I also have a Belkin Bluetooth headset set up for iChat, and partly a lack of documentation. I have to praise the support team though, not only was their response quick, but it was also accurate and easy to follow. Basically you need the following setting:
1. Click the Free-1 application.
2. In the ÒFree-1 USB Phone ConsoleÓ, set the ÒAudio outputÓ of ÒMAC OS X Default DevicesÓ to ÒBuilt-in AudioÓ
3. After, the Skype sound will output from Free-1, but iTunes music will output through your speaker.
Skype isnÕt the most user-friendly when it comes to the address book, but Free-1 makes light of this with its easy scroll, programmable keys and clear buttons.
Those with stubby fingers may find it a little fiddly, but they are no worse than a regular cell phone keypad.
Initially I wished that the Free-1 had a cradle, and sometimes I still do, but it sits well on your desk or work area and more importantly, the cord is long enough to give you some mobility around the Mac.
One ÒinterestingÓ aside. I was talking to my friend who was using his new MacBook Pro and the inbuilt speakers and microphone and I got horrendous echo of my own voice in the Free-1, but once my friend used some headphones that problem went away. Apparently this is because the microphone on the MacBook Pro is positioned right next to the speakers. This is obviously nothing to do with the Free-1 but if you do get an echo you may want to check this isnÕt causing it. Of course my ÒfriendÓ is now going to buy a Free-1 J
In summary: Buy It!
Skype + Mac + Free-1 = perfection.
You can Skype me at myapplestuff
