Phones for That Other System

"MAKING phone calls using voice-over-Internet protocol seems not only inexpensive, but so very modern. Known by the zippy acronym VoIP (rhymes with practically nothing), it lets you make voice calls over the Internet to anywhere in the world for pennies; no old-fashioned phone company required.

The UT Starcom F1000 for Vonage ($130), connects using Wi-Fi and has all of the VoIP software built into the phone.

The Netgear SPH101 for Skype ($230 before rebates) connects using Wi-Fi and has all of the VoIP software built into the phone. Since it connects to the Internet without a computer, it can work even when your computer is off.

The VTech IP8100-2 for Vonage comes with a base station that plugs directly into your modem or router and then connects wirelessly to two portable handsets. Again because the base bypasses the computer, it will work with any system.

The D-Link USB phone adapter ($65) connects to your computer and then requires software installation to run. The computer has to be on.
But as modern as the service seems, the VoIP phone gear has been as fashion-oriented as an avocado-green rotary phone — and about four times as large. Until recently, the best you could hope for was an “operators standing by” headset and microphone, which had to be tethered to a computer, which was itself tethered to a router.

Over the last year, however, VoIP providers like the industry leaders Skype and Vonage have been offering handsets that look and work more like the phones people are used to. VoIP phones are compact and wireless, and in some cases double as standard landline phones. There are systems that can convert your existing landline phones to work with VoIP, and Wi-Fi phones that do not even need a computer to work, just a wireless Internet connection."

Phones for That Other System - New York Times

Also: 7 Gadgets For Using Skype on The Go.