USB Telbox - Phone Adapter for Skype

About a month ago I decided that I would prefer to have a landline through Skype as it allows you to make unlimited calls to the US and Canada for less than $10 a month. The only problem I had was I wanted a phone to ring, and not to be restricted to where my computer was. So I searched and searched Amazon.com only to find that the cheapest good VOIP cordless phones were $100+. Until of course, I found the USB Telbox (link at bottom of page).

The USB Telbox is a adapter that you hook up to your computer which allows you to plug in any regular landline phone into it, and it will send the sounds from Skype to your phone. It works with any landline, and happens to be way cheaper than anything else you can find if you are looking to go cordless through your computers skype connection. The USB Telbox however is not perfect so lets go through the Pros and Cons below:

Price - You can get the USB Telbox for around $25 which is significantly cheaper than any other product you can find that does the same thing.

Call Quality - The call quality is not bad enough to be considered a con, there is a small hint of static and occasionally I hear what sounds like a frog ribbiting in the background. It's not loud at all and amuses me more than anything.

Features - The Adapter uses a program called Skypemate to run through Skype. Although it has its problems (see below) It has a few cool features like when you're dialing a number it shows up on your screen, or when you turn the phone on your skype window pops up.

Easy of Setup - It takes very little time to set up the USB Telbox, it took me no more than 5 minutes.

Ringing - The phone rings like a traditional landline, and you are able to answer the call straight through the receiver. This is a nice little feature.

Skypemate - The program that the adapter has to run to use Skype occasionally crashes, and the phone sometimes disconnects. Neither ends the Skype call (however you can't hear the person you're talking to), and most times you are able to reopen Skypemate still in the call to fix the problem.

Sometimes Skypemate also tells you the phone is working fine but when someone tries to call the phone suddenly won't work. This can be solved by closing and reopening the programs, and is not a permanent problem.

All of Skypes sounds will be sent through the Phone, so make sure to disable certain Skype sounds that would disrupt your call.

USB Telbox issues - The Telbox itself occasionally turns itself off and on (not very often) but when you're in a call the other person will notice you cut in and out.

Even though the Telbox sounds like its full of problems, if you really want to have a Skype landline, and cannot afford to dish out hundreds of dollars for a phone thats capable, the USB Telbox is the best way to go. You get what you pay for, and I have only a few times in several calls experienced a problem that required me to end the call to fix. Good luck with your purchase and I hope this review was helpful to you.