A lot of design effort has gone into the IPEVO Free-1, more than you'd think. The handset is sculpted to fit the face of the user including a 12 degree angle which is the optimum for ensuring the audio pickup does not interact with the speaker. The hollow microphone housing which is perhaps one of the more striking design features is also another attempt to stop cross talk which is when the relayed audio is picked up the microphone causing echo. Skype seems more susceptible to Cross talk as the delay involved in audio transmission via the web is greater than in fixed line telephony. Alongside these required deign cues are the more aesthetic choices, our review model is in black and the Free-1 looks great in this colour our only gripe is the lack of an LCD screen in the handset, but the controls are well spaced and presented.

Plugging the IPEVO Free-1 to our PC was a simple affair and there is some software which can be loaded to enhance the linking of Skype with the handset, but at its basic level this is a USB plug and play device. making calls with the Free 1 is straight forward there are two call buttons, one for Skype to Skype calls and one for Skype out, there is also a really handy feature the Buddy Jog.

This little green toggle switch allows you to quickly flick through all your Skype contacts with your thumb, it makes Skye - Skype very easy and as this is also free its a very attractive feature, again this could have been improved if the handset had a screen so you didn't have to look at the computers screen to see which contact is highlighted. Making a Skype out call is as simple as pressing the Skype out button and dialling the number, the green answer and red end call key behave exactly as you'd expect. IPEVO have also added 3 user definable button which can be set through the software client to perform a number tasks, like a speed dial or to change you online status.

Audio quality is first class and possible the best calls we've made on Skype to date, it's easily comparable to the best headsets with their earphone and boom arrangement but without the need to look like Madonna while making a call. There was no cross talk and the slight delay was from Skype rather than the headset, our callers reported that we sounded like we were on a high quality mobile connection and to us they sounded like they were on a BT line. There is a choice of 10 ringtones and several of them are very loud, ideal if you do intent to use this as your main home phone.

All in all very impressive and a very stylish piece of kit to be seen using, IPEVO have ensured that not only is the Free-1 Skype certified but its both PC and Mac compatible via the USB 1.1 connection. Priced at £29 the IPEVO Free-1 represents excellent value for money and look and feels like £50 worth of handset.

Published - 22/01/2006

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