| Question |
Answer |
| Why is the DUALphone 3088 for Skype better than a Wi-Fi phone for Skype? |
Because it is more reliable (DECT), has no interference problems with other wireless devices (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), has a much longer talk time (more than 10 hours), standby time (more than 140 hours) and range (up to 300 meters). In practice the DUALphone 3088 has a superior voice quality with increased distance between the handset and the base station/router. This is due to less packet loss and interference compared to a Wi-Fi phone. Furthermore, with the DUALphone 3088 you get a 2-in-1 telephone for both Skype and ordinary landline calls.
From:
Though I appreciate the Netgear Skype WiFi Phone SPH101 as a novelty device, until its battery life improves and some workaround to the Web authentication issue can be found, I have a hard time recommending it to anyone beyond the gadget junkie who really wants an attractive, solidly built Wi-Fi phone to show off. For now, most folks who want to use Skype on their home or small-office networks would be better served going with a much less expensive cordless phone, such as the RTX Dualphone or the Radian SkyTone.
Go to:http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/zdm/story?id=2716712
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| What is a DUALphone? |
Your DUALphone combines two phones in one unit, allowing you to use Skype , SkypeOut , /SkypeIn as well as traditional telephony via landline. Thus, you can use your DUALphone on two networks, for instance allowing you to establish a conference call between users on both networks. |
| Is it easy to connect my DUALphone to the Internet? |
Yes. It only requires you to connect the base station to a power outlet and to your Internet connection. However, you might need a router/switch/hub if you want to connect more units to the same Internet connection, for instance both your computer and your DUALphone. We recommend that you use a peer2peer friendly router for this purpose. |
| Are there any special requirements on my Internet connection? |
Yes. You have to use an Internet connection that is 'Always on'. Some broadband connections demand that you log onto the Internet every time you wish to use it, and the connection will automatically close after for example 20 minutes of inactivity. Your DUALphone does not work with such connections, only with 'Always on' connections. Contact your Internet provider and get an 'Always on' connection. Possibly 'Always on' can be enabled via your provider's homepage. |
| Can my DUALphone be updated with new software? |
Yes. Unlike many other products, the firmware of your DUALphone can be updated to always give you access to the latest features. |
| What Skype services does my DUALphone support? |
Your DUALphone supports Skype, SkypeOut, SkypeIn and Voicemail. |
| What Skype features does my DUALphone support? |
o Superior Skype sound quality
o Calling via Internet: Skype to other Skype users
o Calling via SkypeOut to ordinary telephone numbers
o Works with SkypeIn - enables reception of calls from ordinary telephone numbers (PSTN)
o Works with Skype VoicemailTM (view, play, delete, record personal greeting)
o Skype conference call (invited party)
o View, search and call Skype contact list
o Skype Call Forwarding
o Skype Call Waiting
o Caller Identity with Skype name and picture of calling party
o Notification of missed calls, new voicemail
o Set your Skype online status (Of?ine, Away, Do Not Disturb etc.)
o View the status of your Skype contacts on the handset display
o View Call History of Skype and ordinary calls (30 entries)
o Contact list (Telephone book): 200 entries
o Create a new Skype account
o Manual and automatic sign-in to Skype account
o Edit my profile
o Update notification when new Skype and DUALphone software is available
o View Skype credits
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| What is SkypeOut? |
SkypeOut allows you to call ordinary phones and mobile phones at very competitive prices. There might be restrictions applying to calls to special service numbers in certain countries. |
| What is the price of a call to ordinary phones and mobile phones via SkypeOut? |
You can make big savings. Check the prices at www.skype.com |
| Is it expensive to use Skype with a volume based Internet connection? |
No. Skype does not take up much bandwidth. On average, Skype uses 0-0.5 Kbps during standby and 3-16 Kbps during calls. |
| Does Skype work behind a NAT router? |
Yes. Skype works behind most NAT routers. We recommend that you use a peer2peer friendly router. |
| Does my DUALphone support several languages in the menus? |
Yes. You can choose between 12 languages:
Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Spanish, Dutch, Finnish, Danish, Swedish, English, German and French
Note: Russian will be available in a forthcoming firmware version.
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| Does my DUALphone support connections via proxy servers and firewalls with approval? |
Yes. Your DUALphone supports HTTP or HTTPS proxies, authenticating HTTPS/SSL and SOCKS5 proxies. |
| In which countries has the DUALphone 3088 been approved? |
The DUALphone 3088 has been approved in the following European Union Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Island, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Ireland Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, United Kingdom. Other countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Coming soon: Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. |
| Can I use the DUALphone as a conference phone? |
Yes, the DUALphone 3088 has a handsfree speakerphone, just as you can be the invited party on a Skype conference call. DUALphone 3088 can also manage a 3-party call between landline and Skype calls. |
| Is it safe to call via Skype? |
Yes. All your Skype calls are encrypted, thus increasing the safety and protection of personal information. |
| Is it safe to have my user data on the Skype server? |
Yes. All your profile data and your contacts are located on a Skype Server, not on your DUALphone. A digital signature, based on a public and a private key, protects all profile data. The public key is used to encrypt the data, allowing only the person with the right key to make the data readable again. |
| Can I make an emergency call via Skype? |
No. Skype does not allow emergency calls, but provided you have an active landline connection and your DUALphone is connected to the base station and the base station is connected to the landline, you can route emergency calls via this line. Please note that emergency calls can only be made when the base station is connected to the power outlet and it is turned on. The phone cannot be used during a power failure. |
| Can I protect myself against harassment via Skype? |
Yes. You can always block certain persons from contacting you via Skype. You can also prevent groups of persons from contacting you. |
| Can my DUALphone use a static IP address? |
Yes. You may configure a static IP address. |
| Can I call ordinary phones and mobile phones via Skype? |
Yes. However, this requires that your Skype account supports SkypeOut, a service you can buy at www.Skype.com. With SkypeOut you can call ordinary phones and mobile phones at very competitive prices. |
| Can ordinary phones and mobile phones call me via Skype? |
Yes. However, this requires that your Skype account supports SkypeIn, a service you can buy at www.Skype.com. With SkypeIn you get an ordinary phone number that your contacts can call. |
| Can I take my DUALphone with me and use it in another country? |
Yes. Your DUALphone can be connected to the Internet anywhere with an active Internet connection. The landline connection will also be working in other countries. |
| What is the range of my DUALphone? |
The maximum distance between the handset and the base station depends on the environment you are working in. However, you should typically have a range of some 50 metres indoors and 300 metres outdoors. |
| Is the handset GAP compatible? |
Your DUALphone uses a number of features specific to Skype. Therefore we recommend that you do not use other handsets than the one provided with your DUALphone. |
| Can I use several handsets with the same base station? |
Yes. You will be able to use up to 4 handsets which can all take advantage of the same Skype account. This is a coming feature. |
| Can I divert an incoming Skype call? |
Yes. However, this requires you to have Skype credits on your Skype account. |
| Can I check my Skype credit status? |
Yes, you can check your Skype credits from your DUALphone handset. |
| Is there an answering machine in my DUALphone? |
Yes, provided your Skype account supports Voicemail, a service that you can buy via www.skype.com. This allows you to divert all incoming Skype calls to your voicemail. |
| Can I send instant messages (chat) via my DUALphone? |
No. |
| Can I associate a picture with my Skype account? |
Yes. However, you have to sign in to your Skype account via your computer and upload the picture from there. Skype will automatically change the uploaded picture to the correct size. In order to have the best picture quality we recommend that you upload a 96 x 96 pixel picture. You can upload in JPG (.jpg) as well as bitmap (.bmp) format. |
| Which protocol does my DUALphone use? |
The Skype part of your DUALphone uses a protocol of its own. The HTTP protocol is used for Firmware updates and all data transmissions are encrypted. |
| How long is the talk time on fully charged batteries? |
Minimum 10 hours. |
| How long is the stand by time on fully charged batteries? |
Up to 140 hours. |
| Do I need a computer? |
No, there is no need to have a computer - simply connect the DUALPhone base station to your broadband router or modem. If you want to use the landline connection feature, you will also need to connect the base station to the landline connection. |
| How many Skype contacts does the DUALphone support? |
200 |
| Which headset works with the DUALphone? |
The connector is of the mono type and the plug size 2.5 mm. Please note that not all headsets will be suitable. Ask for a set with an impedance of 30 Ohms or higher.
A headset with a jack of 2.5mm can be bought at Mobile Fun Ltd. of Birmingham UK.
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| I don't have a landline wall receptacle near the place where I want to put the DUALphone base station and I don't want to do install new telephone wires between the base station and the landline receptacle. What do I do? |
We recommend that you purchase a wireless phone jack, which can be installed in 1 minute. Please visit www.wireless-phonejack.com. |
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Does the Skype online status Do not disturb work with landline calls?
|
Yes, you will not be disturbed by any landline calls, but you can see the calls under missed calls |
| What about Linux GPL? |
See the document describing the distribution of the source code used on the Skype phone 3088, which fall either under the GNU General Public License (the GPL), or the GNU Lesser General Public License (the LGPL). |
| After updating to v245 the quality of my Audio has changed |
Go into the Settings->Advanced->reset menu
Select reset.
Press yes
Press the reset button on the base unit for one 1 sec. and release button.
Place handset in charger.
Wait until the handset registers to the base. |
