New Freetalk adapter makes Skype more like MagicJack

A $39.99 box the size of a coffee mug, the FREETALK Connect.me lets Americans plug your dumb phone into your Ethernet network. Your phone rings when someone Skypes you or calls your SkypeIn phone number. You can call out to phone numbers using your Skype credits or your SkypeOut subscription. And you can call Skype users if you add them to a “speed dial” list. Just don’t try to dial 911 or another emergency phone number; Skype will refuse to pass the call through to avoid regulation.

Phone geeks call this an ATA device, short for analog telephone adapter or analogue terminal adapter, connecting an old style phone with a VoIP service. Previous third-party Skype ATAs all died horrible deaths, languishing in warehouses, returned to retailers, or stuck in my old-electronics-waiting-for-recycling box. What makes the Connect.me different?

A few things. First, this is a smarter ATA, not requiring your desktop computer running Skype except to set things up, assign a Skype name, pay credits, or change your speed dial list. Second, setup may be simple, but Skype didn’t send press test units in advance of today’s announcement, so I won’t be able to attest to that.

Some downsides. Freetalk isn’t worried about sound quality; your home phone’s microphone and speakers won’t do justice to Skype wideband audio anyway (G.722, G.729 and Skype NWC codecs). No emergency dialing. It uses an additional power outlet, and is wide enough to require three outlets on a power strip. It occupies one of your router’s few Ethernet ports; no WiFi. It may ring on non-Skype calls. If you use multiple Connect.mes, you’ll have to install the Safari browser on your PC to configure them. You won’t be sending caller ID but you’ll be able to see incoming IDs.

Clearly Hong Kong’s Freetalk, on behalf of Skype, hopes this smarter ATA (SkypeKit inside?) will sell. Freetalk failed to bring its much more expensive Freetalk Connect•All multiline small business phone system to market at $2000. The Connect.me is more their style, cheaper than many Skype headsets.

Skype investors will appreciate Connect.me too, as it spreads Skype’s dialtone so more people are available to make and take Skype calls 24×7. Skype wants your phone to ring when you are away from your home computer or when your mobile phone is off.

User Tip: Dial ** before a number to force the call to Skype. Dial # first to force the call through your local phone company.

What Skype features are supported on the FREETALK® Connect•Me Phone Adapter?

• Free, unlimited Skype-to-Skype calls (up to 99 speed dials/Skype contacts)
• Calls to landlines and mobiles domestically as well as internationally.

Can I access my Skype address book?

Yes, once you have completed the set up on your computer, your phone adapter will be automatically synced up with your Skype account. So all your Skype contact details and numbers will be ready to use.

Can I make Skype-to-Skype calls to other devices, such as mobiles and Skype-ready TVs?

Yes, you can contact anyone on Skype regardless of the device they are using.

How do I add credit?

Buy your first credit amount online by clicking on ‘buy credit’ at Skype.com. If you select the ‘auto-recharge’ option, Skype will recharge your account automatically when it falls below $2 so you do not unexpectedly run out of credit.

Can I receive calls?

Yes, if someone calls you, your home phone will ring and you can answer as normal.

My landline and router are not close to each other, can I still use the home phone adapter?

Your landline socket and router do need to be near each other as they both connect to the home phone adapter. However, you can purchase a ‘Powerline Adapter kit’ which extends an ethernet network connection to any electrical outlet.

I only want to use my home phone adapter for Skype calls, must I connect my landline?

A landline is not required to use the home phone adapter for Skype. However Skype should not be considered as a replacement landline service.

CORRECTION: eBuyNow Ltd. is in Hong Kong, not Spain.