The RTX USB Cordless DUALphone is both a Skype phone and as a regular landline phone. You connect the phone to a normal telephone socket and a USB port on your PC.

The display shows you which of your Skype contacts are online, and you can talk to them just as you would be able to via Skype on your computer. And you can also make and regular calls using your landline phone number.

Note:

* Only for use with Windows XP/2000/2003 Server.
* Not for MAC OS use.
* Must be connected to the USB port on your PC and/or to a normal telephone line socket.

Available at Amazon.

Update: A new firmware update has been released for the USB DUALphone. According to the news release, the firmware update will provide for enhanced Skype 2.0 support, including the following:

* checking Skype voicemail
* receiving incoming chat alerts

all from the DUALphone handset itself.

From the news release:

RTX America, a world leader in wireless product development, today announced a free USB DUALphone firmware update. The USB DUALphone can now check Skype(TM) voicemail, receive incoming chat alerts and perform other Skype functions, all from the DUALphone’s sleek, cordless handset. The update adds to a long list of existing features, such as wideband audio and Skype online presence.

The RTX USB DUALphone is a Skype Certified hybrid phone that allows consumers to combine the benefits of traditional phone lines with the advanced Skype Internet calling capabilities using a single cordless phone. When placing a call, consumers dial as usual then press the PC button to dial using Skype or the telephone button to use traditional phone lines. In addition, the USB DUALphone’s cordless handset gives an audible “beep” when a Skype contact’s online status changes, and allows users to play and delete Skype voice messages all without having to be near a computer.

“This RTX DUALphone upgrade shows how Skype is moving beyond the PC and integrating into the lives of consumers,” said James Bilefiled, Skype Europe general manager. “Skype works with partners like RTX to provide our customers with as many device options as possible, making Skype a convenient mobile offering.”

The USB DUALphone recently won Tom’s Hardware’s Readers’ Choice Award 2005 for “Best VoIP Product” category and is the only Skype Certified cordless phone that offers wideband audio, the ability to toggle between Skype calls, Skype chat notification and accessibility to Skype features such as voicemail and online status, without being in front of a computer.

“This update further eliminates the need to sit in front of a PC to benefit from Skype,” said Chris Tubis, CEO of RTX America. “At RTX we developed the USB DUALphone to be the best option for people who want to have convenient access to the advanced capabilities of Skype without having to change their regular phone line and calling habits.”

The included DUALphone charging station simultaneously connects to a traditional telephone socket and to a PC via USB. The DUALphone fully supports Skype to Skype, Skype to landline, landline to Skype and landline to landline calls.

RTX USB DUALphone Features:
— Support for Skype voicemail (new)
— Skype chat notification (new)
— Support for Skype call waiting (new)
— Ability to toggle between Skype calls (new)
— Selection of which online-status to display in handset (new)
— Skype/landline hybrid phone functionality
— Wideband audio for superior sound quality
— Skype certification
— Skype contact list and online status displayed on handset
— DECT 6.0 cordless technology (WiFi-friendly)
— Rechargeable and replaceable battery
— Backlit LCD display
— Standard headset connecter
— Multiple handset capacity
— Upgradeable firmware
— Range: Indoor 150 feet/Outdoor 1000 feet
— Distinctive ring indicating landline or Skype calls

Update: The USB DUALphone from RTX America is now compatible with myJabber, a VoIP softphone application.

The myJabber application is a piece of software that you install on your PC or laptop. Once installed, you can use it to make calls over the Internet.

Via MobileWhack.

DUALphone Reviews

The Tom Keating at VoIP & Gadgets Blog has a review of the RTX DUALphone, and aside from a few quibbles (short standby battery life, no off switch, can’t launch Skype from phone), was happy enough with the phone to give it his recommendation: “The sound quality was excellent and the range was impressive. They claim about 6.5 hrs of talk time, which is about what I got. … With their latest firmware you also can receive chat notifications on the Dualphone. another new feature as part of their latest firmware is the ability to navigate the Skype voicemail from the handset. It will display your voice messages and who the voicemail is from. All in all I was very happy with the DualPhone and would recommend this handset to anyone looking to consolidate their home phone system to something that supports both VoIP and PSTN.” Link.

PCMag has a review up of the RTX USB DUALphone and writes, “Despite operating in the crowded 2.4-GHz band (also occupied by 802.11b and g devices), the phone generally provides clear audio. I also noticed no performance problems due to interference. The good connection could come from the built-in Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology (DECT 6.0), which is Wi-Fi friendly. … No more headphones tethering you to a PC when you want to make a VoIP call. This easy-to-install cordless helps you get more out of your broadband connection with Skype, and it works with your traditional landline, too.” Link.