FON and Skype Launch WiFi Phone!

Will we be able to roam for free as well with other FON wifi phones such as the Netgear SPH101 or will only the phones bought directly from Skype be able to roam freely?

Oliver - at this time other wifi phones must have a web browser to be able to logon at any Foneros hotspot. I haven't tested any with this feature.

Hi Steve thanks for your response, so if I understand you correctly, you are saying that this phone sold in Skype's wifi pack can roam freely all FON hotspots? That's pretty amazing if it is the case.

Yes! That's what I'm saying. The Skype/FON phone will connect to any FON hotspot free!

What's the model no for the SMC wireless phone mentioned above? WSKP100 EZ Connect? I saw WSKP100 EZ Connect in a few retail shops, and am wondering if I can use it with FON hot spots or other opened wifi hot spots.

Please confirm if SMC WSKP100 wifi phone is capable of browser-based auth., and to be used with FON. Thanks.

Then why does Skype's own Blog say it will NOT work with FON hotspots, only with your own FON router?

This is a product that has magnificent potential. It may not be as stylish looking as a flip phone, but I don't buy those anyway.

I hope it works with free, non-fon hotspots too. It would be a shame if it was intentionally limited in that fashion.

Since this is a finished product being announced, can someone tell us if it actually has a web browser, or if the fon login is instead performed by some other mechanism?

just saw this on the Skype blog
http://share.skype.com/sites/en/2006/11/the_skype_wifi_phone_package.html

An immediate question I had when seeing this was, “Can you use your WiFi phone in other FON hotspots”. The answer at this time is “no”.

OK, so who is right here? The Fon folk or the Skype folk? It seems logical that it wouldn't connect to a fon hotspot because of the browser authentication, however it also seems logical that the Fonera code could be adjusted to not require authentication from MAC addresses issued to these phones.
If some magic has been done, could you give the Skype guys a yell and let them know!

> The Skype/FON phone will connect to any FON hotspot free!

Well, I got the bundle-SMC-phone, tried, but it doesn't.

I can use skype loggin in to the private channel of my fonero. It doesn't work with the open one: "no internet connection"

Is there any step-by-step howto - especially where to fill in the mail adress and the pass I usually have to before using a FON hotspot?

But what is the benefit of the FON, Skype partnership, if you cannot use the wifi phone on FON's network? I don't see anything especially tying the new Skype wifi phone to FON - since it will only work on open (and even any open) hotspot.

We are working on a way to allow the Skype phone to work at all FON hotspots. This will be available in the future.

If I buy Skype Package (Wi-Fi phone + La Fonera) today will I be able to use wi-fi phone at all FON hotspots in the future (some kind of upgrade), or should I wait?

I'm working on getting answers to all of your questions. I don't want to publish anything until it's definite. I'll post this as soon as I have the information.

USB Flash Authentication?

Will any of these Fon's have a USB port?

Stephen: the Liberator edition of La Fonera will have a USB connection that will recognise storage devices. I think these others do not.

All: Skype, who is Fon's partner and financial contributor, sent me an ad today for this handset package. They list "Free WIFI router" but do not show it, and don't make any mention of Fon!

http://elfonblog.fondoo.net/?p=39

My daughter will be moving to Garmisch, Germany this summer for a year. Will the Fon WiFi Skype phone work there so we can talk? Will she also be able to talk as she travels in Europe using the Skype phone?

Yes, the wifi phone will work anywhere in the world you have wifi available.

There is a fon firmware available for the SMC phone and should work on the Belkin model aswell that allows you to enter your fon username and password for easy use of any fon ap.

I just hope it works with my sph101.

I was wondering which skype phone, and which FON router to buy.

Also, does it charge you for skype-out? Do you have to have a skype account?

Any help will be appreciated.