I’ve been testing out the Skype phones as a viable alternative to both Dialpad (sucky) and Net2phone (a little better than sucky quality).
The quality is quite good, and even better for skype-to-skype since there’s no conversion to phone networks involved. I’ve got a handset that works very well with it from Lobos, though I discovered that their Skyme software updates doesn’t play with Windows 98, the version on CD works well (prior to 2.0.054) and Skype software, although recommended for XP, still plays nicely with Windows 98. So I can use them both at home and office.
SkypeIn service with the mailbox feature is very nice, I now have a telephone number in the UK where people can reach me without calling international, and a number in the US for my American friend(s). Very neat features. Pity there aren’t more countries for phone numbers as yet, but I guess they’re coming.
Overall, for the price, and ease of use, I’d have to give it a very high rating indeed ****/5.