USB device lets you Skype without opening the Skype application

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: KEITH SHAW ON WIRELESS COMPUTING
DEVICES
09/15/05
Today's focus: USB device lets you Skype without opening the
Skype application

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Third-party tool aims to make "Skypeing" easier
* Links related to Wireless Computing Devices
* Featured reader resource
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by HP
FROM THE NETWORK CORE TO THE NETWORK EDGE

Traffic management becomes critical as your network
infrastructure expands to support different types of traffic and
users. Most traffic management solutions have serious
limitations: too expensive, difficult to use, and overly taxing
on bandwidth. However ProCurve Networking by HP addresses these
requirements, overcomes the limitations of other solutions, and
gives you valuable insight into LAN performance.
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=114172
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WIRELESS LANS BUYER'S GUIDE: THE GOODS ON 185 PRODUCTS

We've compiled the largest buyer's guide ever on wireless LAN
equipment. Whether you're looking for an access point, PC Card
or trying to decide between 802.11a, b or g, take a look at the
information that vendors have provided us. We've got the goods
on 185 products. Click here for more:
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=114040
_______________________________________________________________

Today's focus: USB device lets you Skype without opening the
Skype application

By Keith Shaw

Two things let you know when you've made it in terms of a
technology product: 1) People begin to use your company name,
product name or technology as a verb (as in "I'll Google Keith
Shaw and see what comes up," or "I'll IM you later"); 2) A
secondary industry crops up with accessories or other products
(see the more than 1,000 accessories available for the iPod, for
example).

Such is the case with Skype, the free VoIP application that lets
you make phone calls over the Internet. The verb thing
qualifies, as I've heard people ask me, "Let me Skype you
later," etc. (mostly PR types).

In addition, a bunch of Skype-related products have appeared,
including the recently announced Net-Talk VoIP Internet Phone by
Hawking Technologies.

The Net-Talk Internet USB Phone (HNT1) lets users make phone
calls online from a handset without the need to speak or listen
from an external microphone and speaker set. In addition, the
included Net-Talk software lets the phone control Skype's most
commonly used features, letting users access Skype without
having to open the Skype application on their computer. Hawking
says as long as the device is connected to a computer via the
USB cable, the device can remotely control Skype.

In addition to Skype, the device will work with messaging
software clients that include voice features, including AOL
Instant Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and MSN Messenger, the
company says. When not talking on the phone, you can use the
device as a microphone and speaker unit for the playback and
recording of audio contact (it also has auxiliary jacks for
plugging in other audio equipment). The handset itself comes
with a backlit LCD screen, and includes echo cancellation
features, four user-selectable ring tones and volume and mute
controls.

The HNT1 will cost about $60, and is available now through
retailers, direct marketers and other e-commerce sites. More
details are available at the Hawking Technologies Web site
<http://www.hawkingtech.com/>.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. McAfee, Omniquad top anti-spyware test
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile6979>

2. Google hacking <http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile6697>

3. Supermarket chain freezes Internet access
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile6671>

4. Cisco tackles RFID in the network
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile7107>

5. What's the best way to protect against spyware?
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile6980>

_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Keith Shaw

Keith Shaw is Senior Editor, Product Testing, at Network World.
In addition, he writes the " Cool Tools
<http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/cooltools.html> "
column, which looks at gizmos, gadgets and other mobile
computing devices.

You can reach Keith at <mailto:kshaw@nww.com>.
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by HP
FROM THE NETWORK CORE TO THE NETWORK EDGE

Traffic management becomes critical as your network
infrastructure expands to support different types of traffic and
users. Most traffic management solutions have serious
limitations: too expensive, difficult to use, and overly taxing
on bandwidth. However ProCurve Networking by HP addresses these
requirements, overcomes the limitations of other solutions, and
gives you valuable insight into LAN performance.
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=114171
_______________________________________________________________
ARCHIVE LINKS

Archive of the Wireless Computing Devices newsletter:
http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/mobile/index.html

Keith Shaw's Cool Tools:
http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/cooltools.html
_______________________________________________________________
FEATURED READER RESOURCE

IS IT THE NETWORK OR THE STORAGE THAT'S THE PROBLEM?

Midsize and larger businesses often find their IT topology has
become a complex mix of servers, networks and storage systems.
Many of these companies also route long-haul traffic over
fiber-based networks - metropolitan-area networks, WANs and
private optical networks. Who's responsible when a
storage-related problem occurs on a fiber network? For more,
click here:

<http://www.networkworld.com/nlmobile7108>
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