PhoneGnome employs a variation on the traditional Analog Telephony Adapter device associated with most VoIP services that allows you to continue to use your legacy phone line while having the option to use a VoIP service where it is advantageous (such as for free or reduced long distance tolls or for enhanced voice services such as voice mail, call forwarding or iotum). There were several "VoIP partnerships" available from which to select a VoIP service to work with PhoneGnome, including Project Gizmo. Yesterday PhoneGnome announced GnomeLink for Skype.

GnomeLink extends the capability of PhoneGnome, adding interoperability with Skype. GnomeLink allows PhoneGnome users to call Skype users from their PhoneGnome-enabled home phone, and to answer Skype calls on their PhoneGnome-enabled home phone.

One of the services available with PhoneGnome is the iotum call management service that screens your incoming calls and, in context - initially provided by Outlook Contacts and Calendar - determines the best way to handle your call: go to voice mail, your mobile phone, business phone or home phone. Yesterday iotum announced a special introductory offer for their service when used with PhoneGnome.

Last week I received for evaluation the Skype Certified VoIPVoice UConnect adapter that, with a different configuration, also allows me to continue to use my regular phone but, simply by dialling ** can access my Skype client and make Skype calls. Once the mesh Toronto 2006 conference is over, I will be making more detailed evaluation reports on both of these offerings that link your legacy phone to Skype.