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D-Link Releases Wi-Fi Flip Phone

By BetaNews Staff, BetaNews

July 10, 2006, 5:57 PM

D-Link said Monday it would begin shipping its "clamshell" Wi-FI phone, which is compatible with VoIP services like Vonage. Available in two colors, black and silver, the phone operates very much like the cell phones they are patterned after. Included is a color screen, caller ID, polyphonic ringtones, 100 entry address book, and text messaging support.

According to D-Link, the phone is capable of three hours of talk time, and up to 70 hours of standby time, which is about half of the battery life of average cellular phones. It supports three types of Wi-Fi encryption, WEP, WPA, and WPA2, and will support the Public SIP Telephone Network through a future firmware upgrade. Both the D-Link DPH-540 and DPH-541 retail for $249.99 USD.

Add a Comment (7 Comments)

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By mnovak

posted Jul 11, 2006 - 2:19 PM

Soon everyones going to be WiFi nuts. WiFi toasters Wifi this Wifi that.

Score: 0

By chewyfood

posted Jul 11, 2006 - 9:19 AM

So whats the deal, can you use this phone for free internet using WiFi hotspots?

Score: 0

By jshurst

posted Jul 11, 2006 - 9:46 AM

I guess if you have a Vonage account then you can use it anywhere there is a wireless signal (and are allowed on the network). Not much information in this article though...

Score: 0

By mhochman

posted Jul 11, 2006 - 1:44 PM

These have been in the works for a while, you are correct, if you own this device, and have a valid vonage account, you'll be able to use this anywhere you have legal access to a wireless network, rather than bringing your vonage adapter with you when you travel, you'd just bring a cellphone-like device

Score: 0

By Skyfrog

posted Jul 11, 2006 - 8:31 AM

I have had some bad experiences with D-Link, they don't seem to support their products very well.

Score: 0

By myk04l

posted Jul 11, 2006 - 2:43 AM

damn. small battery life and ultra expensive? whos gonna want one?

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Jul 10, 2006 - 6:43 PM

Well--all I can say is--I hope they have better documentation and support than they do for their network and wireless intranet/internet devices! They don't even make their own drivers, which is half the reason there are no 64-bit Windows XP drivers or Vista drivers (x86 or x64) for any of their devices.

Score: 0

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