From MobileMag, a nice look at ASUS' new Wi-Fi Skype handset, last seen at CeBIT 2006. MobileMag's Michael Kwan notes that at the most basic level, the phone offers standard 802.11g WLAN connectivity to get VoIP access wherever there's Wi-Fi -- which keeps on getting easier to find, of course, as citywide Wi-Fi becomes widespread.

"It's only a matter of time before these Skype phones start to replace a cell phone or two," Kwan writes.


The phone has a simple blue-lit (not color) display, in order to maximize battery life: two hours of talk time and 25 hours of standby on one charge. On the more unusual side of things, the handset also has the ability to act as a wireless remote to control Windows Media on your PC, and apparently boasts good enough speakers to "double as a mini audio system." The company's press release is here.


The real questions are when the handset will be available, and how much it will cost -- no word yet from asus on either point. As MobileMag's Kwan puts it, "Hopefully, ASUS will quit teasing us with the handset and get it out on the market."