For the voice quality check, I called Bill Campbell on Skype; certainly at my end his voice was of sufficient volume and clear. Noting the full duplex nature of the device, Bill reports that at his end there was no "barrel effect." Convenient volume and mute buttons allow you to manage your conversation without accessing the computer application. As the final measure we were able to carry on a normal conversation with no impediment caused by the technology. With its echo cancellation technology, certainly it was along the lines of the portable speakerphone that Martin was seeking.

One caveat: this speakerphone only works in situations where the only other audio device in your laptop is the "default" sound card included with the laptop. (The USR SpeakerPhone effectively becomes a second audio device when you plug it into the laptop.)

The subject of multiple sound cards in a hardware configuration and the management of which audio device with which application will make for a subsequent post as there is an industry issue here both with respect to Skype's certification standards and the management of Windows sound devices.

As a stand alone device to accomplish its stated function. Ideally suited for three to four person conversations in a small office, it not only works well when connected to a standalone laptop but also provides the performance expected of a quality speakerphone. As a product that can easily be integrated into any more complex desktop or laptop configuration, stay tuned.