People who have never used a Voice-over-IP box before get really confused because they don’t exactly understand what a VoIP box actually does, so I’ll explain it in the plainest English I can.

What is a Connect-Me FREETALK box? A standalone VoIP box that allows you to use a plain telephone (meaning a traditional corded or cordless telephone) with Skype.

How does it work? Calls made from the plain telephone connected to the FREETALK box ‘talk’ directly to your router. The box uses your existing internet connection to connect the call.

How do I set one up? Plug the FREETALK box into a wall. Use the provided network cable to connect one end to the FREETALK box and the other end to an open port on your router. Use the provided phone cord to connect one end to the FREETALK box phone port, and the other end to the plain telephone you want to use. On your PC, open up Network or Network Places, find the device listed as "ConnectMe" and double-click it:

This will launch your web browser and go into the FREETALK admin program. Enter your Skype username/password when asked, set up your time zone, and that’s basically it.

Is it required to be logged-in to Skype to use the FREETALK box? No. One the initial setup is done, the box works completely independently at that point. Even if your PC was completely turned off, you can still pick up the phone connected to the FREETALK box and make a call.

Is a paid subscription required to make outbound calls? To other home and mobile phone numbers, yes. In the US, it’s a flat $2.99/month for unlimited domestic outbound calls.

Can people call my Skype? Only if you have an optional online number, and yes it costs extra. Remember, it’s optional.

If I don’t use an online number, can I set the outgoing number to anything I want for use with Skype? Yes. For example, you can set your outgoing number as your cell phone if you wanted. When you do this, the people you call will see your familiar cell phone number and know it’s you. However bear in mind when they call back, it will ring your cell phone.

Is 11-digit dialing required? In the US, yes, using 1-555-555-5555 style – even if you were calling across the street.

The actual review

I find the best way to give this review is in question-and-answer style.

Is there lag?

No lag. Being the FREETALK box is completely independent of the computer and has a direct connection to the plain phone you plug into it, lag is nonexistent.

What’s the audio quality like?

The same as if you were talking on a regular digital landline.

Can I dial without using any special key-presses?

This depends on how you have it set up.

The FREETALK box allows both a Skype and a regular landline connection if you want to switch back and forth between them.

If you have a landline hooked up to the box, you dial out landline/mobile numbers as you always have to use that line. To instruct the FREETALK box to use Skype instead, you add ** in front of the number. For example, if the landline number is 1-555-555-5555, you would dial **1-555-555-5555 to use Skype.

If you don’t have a landline hooked up to the FREETALK box, you don’t have to dial ** first. Any number dialed will default to Skype because there’s no other line connected to the FREETALK box.

Is speed-dialing supported?

Yes. Each speed dial is * and then the number assigned.

How many speed dials can I have?

To the best of my knowledge, you can have up to 100 speed dials, *0 through *99, although I haven’t tested the limit because I don’t have 101 contacts.

Is the connection reliable?

The vast majority of the time you will have no issue using FREETALK/Skype to make calls with. However, if you’re doing something network-heavy with your PC or other device on your network, the person you’re talking to may hear stutter/drop/chop/etc.

Would the FREETALK box work okay if connected to a WAP?

Probably, but I wouldn’t recommend it. VoIP boxes are meant to be wired. Besides which, you can use your cordless phone with the box anyway. In other words, the range of your cordless  phone itself dictates how much wireless range you have (which is probably much better than any wireless router/WAP you have).

How do I dial a Skype user (meaning by username and not phone number) from a plain phone connected to the FREETALK box?

Set up a dial-username as a speed dial.

Is emergency 9-1-1 service supported?

No. You’ll either need a cell phone or other regular house line for that.

FREETALK Connect-Me vs. Other Ways To Skype

There are several different ways to use Skype. Here’s how the FREETALK box compares to other methods.

Wired headset with microphone

Pros: Skype-to-Skype calls are crystal clear with enhanced audio quality while FREETALK is limited to standard telephone audio quality. Easier to manage contacts via Skype client. And you probably already own a headset w/mic.

Cons: You’re tethered to your computer whenever you want to make a call. Both ears are covered during a conversation which may feel odd. The clarity of the conversation may also feel odd because it’s something most people aren’t used to.

Wireless headset with microphone (USB or Bluetooth)

Pros: You can walk around the home while talking.

Cons: Batteries need recharging frequently compared to a cordless phone. Tough to find a wireless headset that fits your ears correctly without experiencing irritation after a short while. Not good for long conversations.

Smartphone, iPod Touch or iPod Touch-like mobile device

Pros: Acts just like a cell phone does, with the added perks of managing all Skype features from the Skype app itself. Can be used anywhere there’s Wi-Fi.

Cons: Expensive. Range is of local Wi-Fi radius still not as good as your cordless phone base. Non-local Wi-Fi is notoriously slow and tough to keep a stable connection to.

Webcam

Pros: Everyone has one.

Cons: Sounds like you’re talking through a log most of the time, and audio from your speakers will ‘bleed’ through during conversations.

Cordless "Internet phone" a.k.a. "Skype phone"

Pros: Usually has the same cordless range as a plain cordless phone would. Can manage/add/edit Skype contacts easily.

Cons: Expensive (usually starting at $60). Usually a hit-or-miss style of phone. Many complain they simply don’t work very well no matter how much was paid for one. Additional handsets are ridiculously expensive, costing almost as much as the base phone.

Dirt cheap corded "USB phone"

Pros: Very cheap (as little as $10). Works well. Can be used with laptops over Wi-Fi easily and will even work on Wireless B for audio-only.

Cons: Very cheap. Corded, meaning you’re tethered when using it (but it is good for travel if you bring along one in your laptop bag).

Tablet

Pros: Easy to manage contacts. Works just like it does on a smartphone or upscale media player.

Cons: The speaker on a tablet is usually awful, as is the microphone. While true on most tablets you can pair a Bluetooth wireless headset/mic to one, that’s a lot of cash spent just to use a $2.99/month Skype service.

The FREETALK box is the easiest way to Skype from home

Before I bought my FREETALK box, I looked into every possible way to use Skype in the home wirelessly. The only two worth using were the smartphone/media player method over Wi-Fi and the FREETALK box. I went with FREETALK because I wasn’t about to go and buy an iPod Touch for $200 just to use a $2.99/month Skype service.

If you miss the ability to use a real home phone (which has a notably better speaker and mic compared to any cell phone), yes you will definitely like using Skype + Connect-Me FREETALK.

You might even like it enough to dump your digital landline and use a prepaid cell phone + Skype exclusively. I did, and that’s how I was able to get my phone bill down to $10 a month ($7/month Tracfone, $3/month Skype).

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