VTech’s not stopping with just a WiFi radio here at CES — oh no, it’s also introducing a snazzy new DECT line of telephones. Starting with the flagship LS6245, we’ve got a slim, stylish handset that packs both DECT 6.0 technology and Bluetooth, enabling one person to be on the main handset while a BT-enabled phone taps in as well. The entire lineup features touch sensitive buttons, caller ID, speakerphone, selectable ring tones and a 50-name / number phonebook directory, with the V.Style LS6215 even offering touch tech in the base unit. Each member of the ‘09 line is priced under $100, and the whole crew should be available for budding seniors in the first half of ‘09.

Filed under: CES, Misc. Gadgets

VTech’s new DECT 6.0 telephones are too swank for grandma originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Household

Telemarketers-turned-inventors from the United Kingdom have started shipping TrueCall (£99.99), a device that acts as an automated secretary on your land line, either forwarding trusted numbers to your phone or answering untrusted numbers with an automated message and shooing them away. When an unrecognized number dials in, TrueCall asks them who they are and then rings you asking whether or not you want to take it. Sure, it’s not the most fun way to automatically ditch unscrupulous callers, but we’d like to listen in on the conversation when a robocall reaches this baby — it’d be like one wall talking to another wall.

[Via Slashdot]

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Filed under: Peripherals

At first glance, we figured this heap was a dead-ringer for the next episode of Crapgadget, but after a few delicate moments of gazing at this amazing piece of retro-styled kit, we just had to let it pass. The $15 USB Telephone 4-Port Hub explains itself pretty well — it’s a non-functioning phone that doubles as a 4-port USB 2.0 hub. And it’s really cute. And awesome.

[Via Pocket-lint]

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

We can only hope that the makers of this beer bottle phone actually got Budweiser’s permission before slapping its logo on there, but regardless of all that, who can deny the awesomeness here? Okay, so you’ve got to be “that guy” for it to take your breath away, but we know you’re out there somewhere, that guy. Aside from looking like a cold one, it pretty much handles everything else a hamburger phone (or similar) would, but at least this one doesn’t require prior knowledge of Juno to be appreciated by your tipsy pals. Get your inebriated dialing on now for just $16.99 delivered.

[Via CrunchGear]

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Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

Well, goodness, try saying that five times fast. T-Mobile has officially unveiled its rather longwinded “HotSpot @Home Talk Forever Home Phone” plan add-on for folks that aren’t quite ready to put their landlines out to pasture quite yet, though there’s a catch: much like the original, it’s beginning life as a trial in just a couple of test markets. Lucky folks in Seattle and Dallas will be able to march into their local T-Mobile outlet and pick up the long-rumored WRTU54G for $49.99 on contract, at which point $10 a month tacked onto their T-Mobile bill will allow them to jack in their old-school landline phones and get unlimited domestic calling. In the event they need a landline phone (o rly?) or are looking to upgrade their 70’s vintage AT&T Slimline, stores will also be offering this lovely DECT system from VTech to complete the package. There’s no word just yet on when we might see the hardware outside the test markets, but with landline popularity waning the way it is, we’d suggest they get a move on.

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Filed under: CES, Misc. Gadgets

We’ve certainly seen some fairly interesting dedicated handset buttons before, but it’s hard to argue with the functionality of a standalone GOOG-411 key. Apparently, Thomson has teamed up with Google to integrate the “first ever one-touch, auto-dial GOOG-411 button” into over a dozen of its GE-branded DECT 6.0 phones. In case you’ve been chilling under a stone of late, GOOG-411 is the search giant’s “free, voice-activated, business directory assistance service,” and it will be within reach on a slew of April-bound home phones. For more details on specific models as well as pricing information, head on down to the read link.

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Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Sure, there’s less than 24 hours before everyone and their grandmother can hop online and grab ‘hold of the SIP-VoIP application, but if you won’t be bothered with it unless there’s proof that it works, you’re in the right place. The crafty folks over at touch mods have videoed “the first VoIP call” made with an iPod touch, the aforementioned software and their own microphone appendage. Granted, the dialogue is about as uninteresting as it gets, but trust us, that’s not what’s important here. Check out a couple of in-action videos after the jump.

[Thanks, Tyler]

Continue reading iPod touch SIP-VoIP application videoed in action

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