Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #151441 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Anda
• Model: SKYPE BOX
• Released on: 2005-11-25

Manufacturer's Description
The Anda Skype Box allows a user to use their normal telephone to make a call over the Internet completely free to another Skype user, via their broadband connection. The Skype Box is also interoperable with other messenger services including MSN, QQ and Net2Phone.

Customer Reviews

Anda Skype Box Adaptor
The ANDA adaptor allows you to use your existing home phone to make or receive Skype or Messenger calls, thus avoiding the purchase of a separate USB VOIP handset. However, I have found that the adaptor will not work with all UK telephones. Before you purchase the adaptor, check that the phone that you intend to use with it is compatible. First, examine the telephone line cord to ensure that it is not captive at the telephone end but terminated with an RJ11 plug. Remove the cord at the telephone end and check that the RJ11 plug has only two connected pins. If the plug has four connected pins, it will not work with the adaptor.

Apart from the compatibility issues, the adaptor works quite well. Switching from PSTN to Skype or Messenger calls is accomplished very simply with a double depression of the 'star' key on the telephone keypad. When switched to Skype the telephone keypad can also be used instead of the PC keyboard and mouse to set up a PC-to-PC call or PC to PSTN/Mobile call. If you set up your Skype contacts with 'speed dialling' (short code dialling), you then key the number on the telephone keypad corresponding to your contact then press the 'hash' key. Skype then takes over to complete the call. An incoming Skype call rings the telephone as normal and picking up the handset connects the telephone to the Skype call automatically.

It is when the adaptor is used with a cordless telephone that it really comes into its own. You do not have to be stuck in front of the PC to make or receive Skype calls. I have used the adaptor interfaced with a cordless telephone to make and receive Skype calls from the bottom of my garden.

All in all, a highly satisfactory product apart from the compatibility issue.

Roy Headley.