Installation is a four-step process:

• Attach the UConnect to a (powered) USB port on a Skype-enabled PC.
• Insert the UConnect into the PSTN telephone line using the supplied line cord and telephone cord in lieu of the previous line cord.
• Install the VoIPvoice Integration software from the CD-ROM.
• Check your Windows Audio default Device settings to reset it to whatever device you wish to use for, say, Windows Media Player, iTunes, SlingBox audio, etc. (This does not impact the Skype Sound Devices selection made by the software installation.)

The software installation not only sets the Skype Sound Devices to "VoIPvoice USB Phone" but also installs speech recognition software as well as some on-hook/off-hook signaling to open the Skype client when you lift the handset and dial ** for Skype access. It also passes Skype CallerID information through to the phone handset's display.

Setup:

Upon completion of the VoIP Voice Integration software installation you will find a new "Skype-like" icon in your System Tray. Right click on it and select Options:

• Ensure all options on the General Tab are selected
• On the Speech Tab, define what you want Speech to do; note the various options (hash, pound or sharp) for describing the "#" key which is used to replace the Skype "Call" button on the handset (UK vs North American vs "Musical" English?)
• On the CLIP tab, North American users should select "Send CLIP according to bellcore specification"; this allows the Skype callerID information to be passed to any callerID display on the legacy handset. By selecting "Add prefix "S-" to Caller Name, you can identify any incoming call as coming from Skype in the callerID display.
• In the Skype client go to Tools | Options | Advanced and ensure that the "Start Skype when I start Windows" is unchecked.

Right click on the icon again and select Speech Properties. Select the "Text to Speech" tab and the Audio Output button. Select "VoIPvoice USB Phone" as shown. There are other options available to set properties related to the speech recognition; however, the remaining default settings provide all the basics needed to use the UConnect.

At this point, on starting Windows the VoIPvoice Integration software will open first; it will then launch your Skype client automatically. (Note that once this setup is completed for one VoIPvoice device, it is available for any other VoIPvoice device such as the Cyberspeaker-W.)

As a final step, ensure the USB - USB/PSTN switch on the UConnect is set to USB/PSTN

You are now ready to start using your PSTN phone handset to make calls on both your PSTN service and Skype.

Operation:

• To call a regular (local) PSTN number pick up the phone and dial in the normal manner.
• To call 911, pick up the phone and dial 911.
• To access the Skype client: pick up the phone and dial **; the Skype client will open on the associated PC. Upon hearing "Whom would you like to Skype?":
  • Speak the Skype Contact's Skype Name, or
  • Make a Skype call via the Skype client in the normal manner, or
  • Enter a Skype Speed Dial number and press "#"
  • "Dial" the Skype Contact's name: Dial * and, in response to the voice's "Press digit to select Skype contact", enter the keypad keys corresponding to the Contact's Skype Name. For instance for Bill, press 2455. If there are multiple Bills, the voice will provide a list of Bills: "Press 1 for Bill C., press 2 for Bill D., etc.".
  • Dial a number for a SkypeOut call within the same country code; remembering that the "#" key emulates the green Skype "Call" button after entering the number, or
  • Dial "00" (proxy for "+") and a country code and phone number (without the leading area code "0") to place a SkypeOut call to another country
  • Go to the Skype Email Toolbar (or SkyLook) and select a number to call in the normal manner.
• On receiving Skype calls, check the callerID display, pick up the handset, listen to the voice announcing who is calling (again by their Skype Name), press the "#" button to connect (remember it emulates the Skype "Call" button) and start talking.
  • If you simply hang up without pressing "#", the call is terminated as would happen if you pressed the red Skype "End Call" button.
• On receiving PSTN-originated calls, one answers in the normal manner.

Comments:

• All the comments about the VoIPvoice Skypepone line in my post about "Skypephones that Just Work" apply, including those about the need to work on the voice recognition capability.
• Automatic sound device selection: With the Skype Sound Devices set to "Windows Default Device" one can readily switch between, say, a headset on the PC's sound card and the legacy phoneset for audio. For instance, start a call using speakers and a mic, then lift the handset from the phoneset and the audio is redirected to come through the phone's handset.
• CallerID information from incoming Skype calls is displayed in the phoneset's text display, optionally with an "S-" prefix -- appears as "S-SkypeName"
• Audio quality: On the first day of use, I had at least three callers remark spontaneously on the audio quality as being superior to a standard PSTN phone line.
• Phone line portability: If I want to move this setup to another phone line (such as the second line to my dual line phone set), it is simply a matter of moving the line cord attachments. There is no need to register the UConnect with a central server on the Internet.

Positioning:

• UConnect is suited for those who want Skype/SkypeOut access while still having access to a traditional PSTN phone line for, say, 911, fax and "local" calling services.
• UConnect provides a familiar telephone touchtone keypad and handset user interface to Skype that does not tie up additional desktop real estate.
• With free calls to any North American PSTN number, SkypeOut also becomes an option for even local calls, especially when using PC-based tools such as the Skype Email Toolbar in conjunction with your Outlook contacts as your directory. Find the Outlook Contact, in the Email Toolbar select Skype, Home, Office, Mobile and the Skype/SkypeOut call is initiated.
• When on the road one can take along a Cybperphone-W or Cyberspeaker-W and use the same software configuration to make Skype and SkypeOut calls from WiFi access point such as hotels, airports and coffee shops.

Conclusions:

• Pros:
  • A device that merges PSTN phone line requirements with access to Skype/SkypeOut features, including Presence and Chat.
  • Keep the same phone number available for receiving calls.
  • Allows continued use of Skype-enabled applications such as Skype Email Toolbar, Skype Toolbar for IE/Firefox and Skylook.
  • Passes Skype CallerID information to phoneset's text display
  • Takes up minimal additional desktop real estate to access Skype
  • Maintains access to 911 and alarm services
  • Portable to any available PSTN line
  • Relatively simple four-step installation
  • Automatic interactive sound device selection.
  • Delivers very high quality audio
  • Can listen to audio-enabled applications, such as Windows Media Player ("WMP") and SlingBox, while on a Skype call.
  • Same software supports two complementary dedicated VoIPvoice Skypephones for mobile use.
• Cons:
  • Installation may require resetting of default Windows Audio Device to allow independent operation of audio applications such as WMP, etc. (This may be an issue with how Windows handles Audio Devices.)
  • Voice recognition feature needs improvements to increase recognition accuracy. According to VoIPvoice personnel, this is a high priority issue being addressed.

UConnect turns Skype into an ideal PC-based complement to a traditional small office individual PSTN phone configuration. UConnect takes over the long distance service while offering additional capabilities such as File Transfer, Presence and Chat without changing your legacy phone number and without disrupting access to essential services such as 911 and alarm systems. It certainly passes the Jeff Sandquist seven-day test.

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