All you need is a router…

Linksys iPhone CIT400
Manufacturer: Linksys (product page)
System requirements: Broadband internet connection, router
Price: $149 (shop for this item)

Red backlights are nice,
albeit rather useless

A few months ago I did a Skype phone shootout involving two cordless Skype phones. I concluded that, for a host of reasons, the Linksys CIT300 was the better of the two phones. However, a few of our readers were upset that I had failed to mention neither of the phones were compatible with Mac OS X.  The newest Linksys cordless phone, the iPhone CIT400, does not require a computer at all and is my favorite cordless Skype phone yet. Here's why.

The CIT400 works in the same way the Linksys CIT300 does in that it requires a base station. Here's the part I love most, though: the base station does not need to be connected to your computer with a USB cable; it just needs to be connected to a router. This means the phone isn't tied down to any particular OS, opening up the cordless phone market to any Skype user, no matter what your operating system. I recommend creating a new Skype account if you plan on purchasing a CIT400; that way, buddies can reach you at your computer on one account or downstairs in your living room on another. In terms of call quality, I was able to hold clear phone calls around my house without dropping any calls.

Like the CIT300, if you'd like to make standard POTS calls, you can also do so through the base station. I really found this feature to be the big seller with this phone. One of the most annoying problems I ran into with a USB cordless phone is that whenever I wanted to switch to a standard headset/webcam call, I ran into a host of connection problems due to the switching of in/out audio devices in my Skype preferences. The CIT400 eliminates this problem.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the wireless connection to my Netgear wireless-G router was strong enough that I was able to hold phone calls around my house without dropping any calls, although Linksys only specifies that "a broadband router" is needed for phone calls.

By the way, if you're wondering about the iPhone moniker, Cisco trademarked it first, but both Cisco and Apple are able to use the name for their own products under the terms of a settlement reached earlier this year. 

The Unit

The CIT400 has the same battery life as the CIT300—120 hours of standby time and 10 hours talk time—and I found these numbers to be accurate. Three days ago, my roommate unplugged the phone, and it's currently sitting half-charged.  In terms of the interface, the CIT400 comes pre-loaded with Skype, just like the model before it. The CIT300 allowed for a bit more customization, as I was able to change the phone's background and theme. 

The iPhone CIT400 and base station

I would have liked to see this option in the CIT400, but it seems Linksys has ditched the customization idea for a strictly Skype theme. Linksys also carried over the intercom, speakerphone, and page-phone options found on the CIT300. Unfortunately, however, Linksys advertises that you can add additional phones for an intercom feature. At this time, additional handsets are not available for individual purchase, so the feature is basically useless unless you'd like to purchase the entire package each time you want to add an additional handset.

Performance matters

Talking about phone aesthetics can be pretty dry, and as long as a phone performs well, I typically take the stance that performance is all that really matters. With cordless Skype phones, though, I prefer a color screen with the typical Skype menu because it makes navigating through contacts and the tweaking of phone settings much easier. I liked the look and feel of the CIT300, and the CIT400 is a bit of a step up.

The upper half of the phone is made of a shiny black plastic, but unfortunately, it's the type that always seems to be coated with fingerprint and face grease. Gross. The buttons still have a soft red backlight glow to them, but the glow doesn't light up the keys and is more fancy than useful in the dark. The phone's screen itself does not provide enough light to brighten the keys. Unless you have the phone's number pad and navigation buttons memorized, it's pretty much impossible to make a phone call in the dark if you're planning on dialing numbers. I found this feature to be really annoying; I don't make phone calls in the dark very often, but if Linksys is going to bother adding backlit keys, why not make keys with numbers that actually glow? Adding clear keys would have solved the problem.

The CIT400 next to its cradle

Navigation of the phone's interface is basic: the CIT400 has a central circular click button which clicks up, down, left, and right. Much like a cell phone, one can select an option or navigate backwards through the menu with one of two buttons to the left and right of the centralized main button.

Here's a brief rundown of the standard cordless Skype phone menu: at the main screen, the phone displays the name of the Skype user currently logged on, the current time, battery life, signal strength, and two options: "Menu" and "Contact." To see Skype buddies that are currently online, simply click "Contact." From this screen you'll be presented with your Skype buddy list where you can scroll through available buddies and place phone calls. Back at the main screen, choosing the "Menu" option brings you to a standardized Skype menu screen with the following options: Contacts, History, Status, Add Contact, Search, Services, and Settings. If you'd like to add a contact, simply click "Add Contact." The phone gives you a choice between a Skype contact and a SkypeOut contact. SkypeOut contacts are landline numbers you can call from your Skype username.

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