If you've already read my review of Skype, then you'll be well aware that I'm not a true zealot. That is not to say I don't acknowledge its usefulness though, and in my day to day life, I use it often enough to warrant a small extravagance to make it that bit more convenient. For those without any knowledge of Skype, you may be better served by reading that review first, then returning here.
Until now, I've been using an inferior
headset (a free subscription offer eons ago) to conduct my conversations. And whilst adequate, it left something to be desired in the audio clarity stakes, not to mention the appalling fashion faux pas of looking like Tim Curry doing a
Britney Spears impersonation. It simply had to go.
But to be replaced by what?
I'd no intention of spending a fortune, but did like the idea of something resembling a conventional
telephone which narrowed things down somewhat. After discarding the idea of a
phone adapter (which turns your existing telephone into a Skype capable phone) which wasn't much use to me on my travels, and dismissing out of hand a cordless
Skype phone (prohibitive price), I finally decided on the
IpevoFree-1, which wasn't in fact free but cost £27.10 plus £3.24 delivery courtesy of Dabs (www.dabs.com). Ipevo Inc, a subsidiary of the Taiwanese company 'PChome Online, Inc' make two versions of the Free-1, white and black but otherwise identical. Naturally, I chose the "ultimate black" model.
Contents of the box were minimal: a brief quick start user guide, CD with drivers and full user guide, and the surprisingly small Ipevo telephone itself, coming in it at a mere 15 x 3.8 x 2.5 cm. I've included a picture with this review which will allow you to judge the phone and its scale for yourself. Attached to the Ipevo is a 2.5 meter USB cable, which is plenty long enough to allow one to recline or stand whilst talking, but if you plan on being mobile beyond that consider spending an extra £40 or so on a cordless Skype telephone.
Installing the drivers was simply a case of running the CD and selecting
Install drivers from the menu. I was prompted to restart, and after doing so, connected the Ipevo to a
USB socket and this was immediately recognised by
Windows XP. A green LED on the
handset began to flash indicating all was well. On opening Skype, it detected that the Ipevo wished to gain access to the program and I was prompted to give it permission. After doing so, Skype began as normal. So far, so good.
Installing the driver adds a new icon to the Windows Taskbar. The quick start guide advises that we should ensure that the Ipevo has been designated as the default device Skype will use as a speaker and microphone. Double clicking the icon in the taskbar starts the Ipevo software and from the clearly labelled drop down lists, select "Free-1 USB Phone" as the default Skype devices. Press "Apply" and everything was taken care of. Your existing sound card remains the default for all other sounds. Windows 2000 and Mac users should have a similar experience, no other Operating System is supported.
The whole process, including the reboot took about 4 minutes.
To ensure your chosen device is working properly, the Skype software includes a "Skype Test Call" contact. Phoning this contact takes you to a recorded message which advises you to speak after the tone. The message you recite is then played back to you so you can judge the clarity of the call for yourself and if necessary, troubleshoot. My own call to the test contact was fine, and I was impressed with the clarity of the message which was far better than my naff headset.
FUNCTIONS
The Ipevo Free-1 has 23 buttons. For your convenience I provide a list of their main functions though if you're at all familiar with Alexander Bell's invention, little of this should be a mystery (seriously, this is a no-brainer).
Green: As you would expect: to answer a call. Also functions as a "Yes" key.
Jog: Scroll through list of contacts in Skype
Red: As expected: to terminate a call. Also functions as a "No" and delete key and if held down, minimises Skype to the Taskbar.
Skype: If Skype is minimized this button restores, otherwise it selects Skype Contacts, Dial and History tabs in turn.
+: enters the "+" sign required for international number dialling
List: Launches Skype Contacts window.
1: enters a "1" only
2: enters a "2" and the letters a, b and c. *
3: enters a "3" and the letters d, e and f. *
4: enters a "4" and the letters g, h and i. *
5: enters a "5" and the letters j, k and l. *
6: enters a "6" and the letters m, n and o. *
7: enters a "7" and the letters p, q, r and s. *
8: enters a "8" and the letters t, u and v. *
9: enters a 9 and the letters w, x, y and z. *
*: enters a "*"
0: enters a "0".
#: enters a "#"
Mute: Mutes the mouthpiece (located on right side of handset).
Volume: Adjusts earpiece volume (located on left side of handset).
○: Function key 1 - User can select function of this key from a predetermined list
◊: Function key 2 - User can select function of this key from a predetermined list
□: Function key 3 - User can select function of this key from a predetermined list
*Letter keys can only be used to search for a contact alphabetically, after pressing the list button.
MISSING
Two elements have been omitted from this handset. The first, and least inconvenient, is any form of LCD display. By design you will only be using the phone a maximum of 2.5 meters from your PC, an LCD is unnecessary as you can see clearly enough who is calling you from your computer monitor. The second is that the keys do not illuminate. I never expected this to be an issue, but have subsequently found myself straining to read the keys in dull light and in retrospect this would have been a worthy addition.
IN USE
Using the Ipevo day to day is a pleasure. It's lightweight (65g) and sits comfortably against my ear for extended periods without any discomfort to speak of. With the exception of Skype's occasionally wanting signal quality and line drops, the Ipevo provides a reasonably good audio experience in both directions that is noticeably clearer than my DECTlandline phone.
Although on the compact side, I've not had any problems with incorrect key presses, and the keys themselves are well constructed, requiring firm, but not excess pressure to operate. By default these beep but this can be turned off from within the Ipevo software if you prefer to dial in silence.
Although constructed from plastic, the Free-1 feels very sturdy and will (has) survive a tumble with no consequence.
CONCLUSION
I'm quite content with this purchase. It performs admirably and exactly as advertised. It's a fine looking, business like, and more importantly, comfortable handset with enough functionality to improve my Skype experience without breaking the bank - there are ten ring tones and every one of them is a variation on "ring ring" so nothing jaw grinding there (I haven't the words to describe my loathing of novelty ring tones). It's small enough to be comfortably stowed in a laptop bag. I do miss key illumination but it's not an advertised feature so cannot, in fairness, mark down for that I'd liked to have seen some means of tidily wrapping the cable and it is perhaps a trifle overpriced for what it is but now I know I'm stretching for criticisms that just aren't there. Looking for a corded Skype phone? Look no further. 5 stars. Nice one Ipevo.
IP Evolution 
