Linksys Launches iPhone

A net phone called the iPhone has been launched by Linksys just weeks before analysts were expecting Apple to release a similarly-named device.

Linksys is announcing a series of Web-enabled telephone handsets designed to work with Internet calling services such as Skype, and other services, including SIP Phone's Gizmo Project.

Products in the iPhone product line integrate Skype and Yahoo! Messenger with Voice and can toggle between the VoIP calling options and traditional landline service with the click of a button.

The iPhone Dual-Mode Internet Telephony Kit for Skype (CIT400) embeds the client into a cordless phone base station that is attached directly to the home network via Ethernet, allowing the user to place calls to other Skype users, mobile phones, or landlines without turning on a computer.

The iPhone Wireless-G Phone for Skype (WIP320) makes Skype portable by integrating it into a Wireless-G handset, allowing consumers to place calls from anywhere they can connect to a wireless access point.

Both new iPhones products allow voice calls in addition to real-time contact list access and presence information that lets the user know if the intended call recipient is available. The new phones also support Skype calling services, such as SkypeOut, SkypeIn and voicemail.

The iPhone product family (though not all yet branded as such) also includes products like the Wireless-G IP Phone (WIP330) that integrate the SIP VoIP protocol. Consumers can use the WIP330 to access music, photos, and streaming video from sources on the Internet so they can combine the product with wireless video cameras like the Linksys Wireless-G Compact Video Camera (WVC54GC).

iPhone products are expected to retail for between $79.99 and $369.99.