The highly anticipated release of Skype WiFi technology is here in the USA. The time has finally arrived! The SMC WiFi phone is released and worldwide shipping starts on September 20th.

We are excited to be the first USA Online Retailer with inventory of the SMC WiFi phone.

Skype users are no longer tied down to their computers... they can take use their Skype phones anywhere within their home wireless network.

We are happy to provide the following sales channels:

* Our company website (5% Back to School Discount with Code: SCHOOL -- Also 3% Reward Program)
* eBay Store
* Our Amazon Store

Thank you Skype Forum for helping with a GREAT product release of the Skype WiFi phone. All orders that were placed in the first 48 hours have shipped. International orders were upgraded to DHL shipping, so that we can track the shipment progress.

For those that ordered, we have sent you a 10% coupon. Use it for you next order, or share with a friend that may want the SMC WiFi phone. ;-)

For those on the fence about purchasing a WiFi phone, please feel free to contact us.

Looks beautiful. Any discount for moderators

For those looking to buy from the 'gray' market... please make sure you are not getting a pre-release version that does not include software updates...

Pre-Release versus Final SMC Wifi Phone

* Final has larger capacity battery
* Final has english and traditional chinese support
* Final has Skype Certified sticker
* Final has updated software (pre-release does not find the update)

Blog Entry

I bought one of the SMC phones from Amperor. Received it last fryday. Here are first impressions:

(1) I didn't have much trouble configuring it. It took me a few minutes to figure out how to switch text input from numbers to letters, and this had me stumped for a while when trying to set up the WEP encryption key. After i figured that out, it was easy. The documentation could have been a little better, but it's not a killer.

(2) It's small, like one of the smaller cell phones. I found out that unless i cup my hand around the microphone to direct my voice, people complain that i'm "far away", because the microphone is nowhere close to my mouth. I would prefer a larger format or a flip phone. But oh well, it works.

(3) It's very easy to use, especially after you set up your contacts. It should be ok for non-technical users.

(4) Amperor's customer service was top notch. Nothing to complain there. Good job, guys!


My biggest complaint so far is the battery life. If i talk for more than 10 minutes, the phone starts complaining that the battery is low. After i hang up, some of the battery power comes back. I haven't had it turn off on me yet, but i'm willing to bet that when my wife calls her parents and talks for an hour, that thing will shut off.

There is some other weird stuff like, for example, after i make a call, the volume control stops working - i have to reboot the phone for it to start working again. So i can't adjust the volume during a call.

The software is quirky in places; for example, there is more than a way to add a contact, and they don't work the same way. It took me a while to figure out that i needed a "+" in front of the number when entering a skypeout contact. If you dial a phone number without adding it to the contacts first, that number stays there after the call and you have to delete it, character by character, after you're done with it. I'm thinking that there will be software updates, eventually.

Is there hope for a better battery or better power management so it doesn't run out of juice so quickly?


Hey, where's my 10% coupon?

Thanks for the kind words... our team from Howard (Product Manager, Blogger), Shelia (Guru Shipper), Todd (Customer Service and Office Computer Tech), and Me (Office Monkey) -- oh and can't forget the Boss (Larry the CIO) -- work hard to make sure our customers receive the best in service.

Please send an email to support@amperordirect.com with the title 'WiFi Phone Bugs and Quirks' and we will forward on to SMC for firmware/software updates.

Thanks again!


Note: 10% coupon should be included in the box and email invoice. Let me know if you didn't receive one.

After reading the reviews that show a talk time of 3.5 hours, i'm beginning to wonder if i have a bad battery. I need to do more testing, but i get an onscreen message complaining that the battery is low after about 10 minutes of talking (starting from a fully charged battery). After 2 or 3 5-minute calls, the battery is almost completely drained. Is anyone else experiencing this?

I received the phone today.

My thoughts so far.

Cons

The display is not as good as I would have thought, lower resolution and colours not rich.

Lack of ringtones, hopefully more with updates!

Slow menus and key response, hopefully software update will fix again!

Pros

Very easy to configure.

Nice looking product.

Voice quality seems good with the Skype test service.

Untested

Not tested the battery life yet! Will do tomorrow.

Not tested SkypeIn or SkypeOut

Suggestions for software updates

Add Skype SMS

Add more ringtones

Thanks for the quality review! Please keep us updated on your experience.

SkypeIn and Out quality is good but sometimes you get a faint echo.

Battery life is just as described for me.

Overall I would highly recommend this phone to anyone with wi-fi.

THanks for the review and positive comments.

Echo is sometimes the result of the other person having their speakers too high or putting you on speakerphone.

Will you ship to canada.

Yes.

We have shipped this product to Germany, Canada, Austrilia, Belgium, Italy (many times over), Peru, Mexico, Brazil, UK, and some other countries as well.

Aslo how hard is it to set up the wifi phone.

Extremely easy.

Turn on the phone.
Select English (one time)
Select agreement (one time)
Find Network (you can auto find after first time)
Type in Key (you can set this to auto too)
Login in (you can set this to auto too)

As you can tell, once you setup up the phone you basically never have to log in again -- as it all automatically done.

The only part that had me stuck for a few minutes was entering the wireless key, because it took me a while to figure out how to switch input between letters and numbers, in the phone. It's the "*" key. I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to set it up.

Yes, setup is a snap!

Did you see that in the UK it works in WiFi Hotspots! Can't wait for HotSpot access to hit the US.

see my review here: review

Just for the record, this thread is about the SMC WiFi phone. Based on your review you purchased the NetGear version.

If you do not like the Netgear version, you might want to purchase the SMC WiFi phone.

Hmmm... i continue to have low battery life problems. Today i tried using the phone on a conference call, with a headset, and it went from fully charged to dead (phone turned off), in about 10 minutes. It looks like using a headset makes the battery go faster. I'm still wondering if i have a dud battery.

Another interesting thing today was that i wasn't able to enter DMTF touch tones to get into that conference call. The tones sounded, but were not very responsive, and the remote system wasn't able to decode them, so i ended up having to go through an operator. This could be a problem.

Hi Glauber,

As a valued customer, we will make sure you get the best service for the SMC WiFi Phone. 10 minute talk time is unacceptable and probably means you have a faulty battery. Please contact me off-list and I will get you setup with a new battery.

DMTF touch tones are not a phone issuse (as I understand the problem), but a Skype issue. It seems that, at times, it takes couple of tries to get the signal right.

Sorry it took me a while to respond to this; i've been out of town. Just like the man said, they took care of me and sent me a new battery. I haven't done any real tests, but yesterday i talked for 18 minutes and at the end of the call the battery indicator still showed full. Huge improvement. It looks like i just had a bad battery before.

I've said this before: i can't say enough of Amperor's customer support. They are great.

Thanks for the positive feedback! Glad to see that your battery issues are behind you -- from your early tests.

Keep us updated!

Do you have any target date for the release of the phone for "hot spot" capability?

Hi,

Actually, our understanding is that the phone will not change... only the firmware to add html login capability will. So whether you buy today or in 6 months the hardware would be exact.

If you sneak a peek at tawian forums, they seem to have 'inside' information that Accton engineers are working on html logins... but those are just rumors... no real way to confirm.

If you are a business traveler, please read our SMC workaround at our blog -- http://amperordirect.wordpress.com .

My question is does it work in public hotspot where you are required to log on to a web based authentication page? I have used SIP WiFi phone for 1 year+ now and I TOTALLY regret buying this half solution WiFi Phone because it DOES NOT work in public hotspot and probably NEVER will. I fear the same experience WILL BE REPEATED BY ALL THE PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT WIFI PHONE JUST TO FIND OUT IT DOES NOT WORK IN PUBLIC HOT SPOT. This is knowledge that you as purchaser will have to experience in your eagerness to lay hands on a WiFi Phone.

Your money is more important to the sellers, the hell with public hotspot issues. That you will find out AND find out you will. Later... when you need it most.

I suffered for 1 year+ and I though I would let you know how I feel.

Go for HIPI enabled phone that can do more than WiFi. It has GSM or 3G built-in. Find out more before buying any WiFi phone, be it Skype, SMC whatever. DO NOT REGRET LIKE ME.

right. read my opinion on this misleading advertising on www.skype-gadgets.com. direct url : http://webtown.typepad.com/webtown/2006/11..._fon_and_a.html

comments welcome.

One question... did you purchased a SIP based phone to work with Skype? I doubt that this solution will ever work... Skype is a closed P2P network (although reverse engineering is said to have occured...)

The facts are: It is WELL documented that the Skype WiFi phones, currently, do not work with hotspots that require HTML login -- it has been blogged to death, and the consumer is well aware.

Does this mean that a firmware update will not solve this issue? No. In fact we are hoping to see a release do just that... will it happen? I don't know, I can only wait and see... just like everyone else.

But an outcry about the inability for html login is not justified, as almost every review states this as being fact... remember, this is a first generation phone thats sole purpose was making and receiving Skype calls without the need of a computer -- something that had/has great demand. And something this phone does very well -- although battery life could be better.

I guess my point (there is one, I promise) is that there are many customers who want and need a Skype WiFi phone for home or small business use... they need a phone that answers and makes Skype calls without the need of a computer. The Skype SMC phone does this, and does it well.

Hotspot HTML access will be icing on the cake!

It is easy to say that hot spot issue is a known issue. To the uninitiated customers without expereince (which I was once upon a time), the hot spot issue will not be an issue UNTIL THE DAY he needs connection at a public hot spot. That happened to me and I shrugged it off because HIPI was not around then and I just sallowed the whole damn issue of hot spot.

BUT today HIPI is around and hot spot is no more an issue. I want people who cares to know this fact and not to hide it from them. Let the purchacers be aware AND let them make their choice after that. I think most purchasers will want to know this phone are beign released and AVAILABLE.

I cannot stop you or SMC from selling the WiFi phone by leveraging on SKYPE. But at least I want to post in this forum that purchasers have a choice. That is the purpose of forum which is to inform.

I have nothing against SMC or anyone else selling the WiFi phone because it is a business. Frankly, I have stopped selling the idea of WiFi phone. Now, I am promoting GSM/WiFi with HIPI phone as something purchasers will find VERY USEFUL.

How much are these HiPi Phones?

hi there,
Friday,i ordered an SMC skype fone with Fon router and i hope that the battery will be better than the 1st batteries .
We really hope that the next update will include a sw modification for connection to the hotspots(login/password with browser) otherwise i lost 153€ (139€ +delivery) !

to yonexsp;
Could you tell me where we could buy this GSM/WIFI phone please
BR
EVILSPELL

Just to let you know, this phone can work in a public hotspot. A little knowledge of computers and wifi is required, but if you get the info of your phone and find your mac address, and have a wifi-enabled laptop, you can easily spoof this mac address, and use your laptop to register/log into a public hotspot. This obviosuly is not an ideal solution, but is an easy fix if you are at a college or something that requires you to log in or a business that you frequent often. Its obviosuly a pain in the butt to have to lug a laptop around, but most places I've dealt with university-wise it just needs your login once from the spoofed mac address laptop and the phone is considered registered on the network indefinetly. If you want to know how to spoof a mac address, google it, as it is different depending on what kind of system you have.

What is with this GSM/WiFi with HIPI phone?