INTERNET PHONE FITS INSIDE LAPTOP

There are literally dozens of Internet phone services these days. These services use a technology known as Voice over Internet Protocol or more commonly referred to as just "VoIP." The idea behind VoIP is a fairly simply one to understand but a highly complex one to make happen. I still don't think it's ready for prime time but it's getting better. The Internet lets us send data across the street and around the world. That data can be text, images, videos and of course sound. Before the Internet, we've been using our telephones to send our sounds across the street and around the world. Now we're using the Internet to do the same and if companies such as Skype and Vonage have anything to say about it, perhaps one day VoIP will be the way everyone will be doing it. The switched telephone services of today will go the way of the horse and buggy.

Evidently the big phone companies believe this to be true as well. AT&T for example already has data services in place that offer VoIP. So what do you need to be able to use your computer to make phone calls? For the most part, all you need is a fast connection to the Internet and the VoIP software. At the very least, that will let you make computer-to-computer voice connections. Other than the cost of your Internet service, that kind of setup lets you make unlimited voice calls to anywhere at no charge. The VoIP software that makes this happen (Skype is a perfect example) is typically free. The problem with this kind of connection is that you either need to set up your connections in advance or the computer user you are calling knows to leave their computer on all the time so it can receive your calls.

If you want to use your computer to call an actual telephone, there's typically some kind of connection fee. Again, this varies greatly depending on the VoIP service you choose. And if someone wants to call you, you're computer better be turned on or they'll get something equivalent to a voice mail telling them to leave their name and number. But whatever VoIP service you select and the type of calls you make, you're going to need some kind of microphone and speaker connected to your computer to use VoIP.

I've seen a cornucopia of devices that let you use VoIP starting with a simple mike and speaker setup. Then there are headsets with a built-in microphone that's positioned near your mouth, speakerphones for hands-free talking and even complete telephone handsets that connect directly to your computer's USB port. But none of these are as clever nor as cool as the Vo200 Bluetooth Internet Phone being offered by Kensington.

Most every portable computer has a small PCMCIA slot that's about the size of a business card and a quarter of an inch thick. It's typically located on the side of the laptop. You can insert a variety of devices into it such as a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) card that gives you Internet access over cell phone networks. Until recently, the most clever device I saw created for this slot was the Mogo Mouse that expands from its flat configuration to an actual wireless computer mouse. But I think the Vo200 may just steal the crown or certainly share it with the Mogo.

When you eject the Vo200 from the PCMCIA slot, the bottom portion of the card flips open and mimics the shape of a telephone handset. You speak into the flipped open portion while holding the upper portion to your ear. The Vo200 communicates directly to your computer via the Bluetooth wireless standard in much the same way as those wireless earphones work. Buttons on the Vo200 let you select a convenient hands-free mode or talk privately by holding it up to your ear. The Vo200 also features an advanced echo cancellation and noise suppression technology that keeps your conversations clear, even in a noisy room.

Plus when you return the Vo200 to your computer's PCMCIA slot, the Vo200 automatically recharges itself so it never needs batteries. You'll know when to do that as a blinking light warns when there's about 10 percent talk time left. However you shouldn't be seeing that light too often as the Vo200 gives you over 3 hours of talk time and up to 30 hours of standby.

The Vo200 is compatible with any PC running Windows and sells for $89.99. Just pop the Vo200 out of your laptop in front of a crowd and you'll have plenty to talk about.

www.us.kensington.com

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