Personal Technology -- With Its New Version, Skype Phone Service May Enter Mainstream

Personal Technology -- With Its New Version, Skype Phone Service May Enter Mainstream: "Now, however, Skype is putting those hurdles behind it. Today, the company plans to release a major new version of its phone-calling software, Skype 2.0, with added features -- including video calling -- and a cleaner interface. It is taking steps to make computer microphones cheap and easy to obtain. More importantly, it is moving its service off the computer to a new breed of Internet-based telephone handsets.
...
But I was most impressed with the new Skype phone I tested, the $100 Linksys CIT200. It looks and works like a regular cordless phone. But it links wirelessly to a little base station that connects to your computer. And it has a big Skype button that connects you to the Skype service via the PC. The phone displays your Skype contacts, and you call them with the press of a button. You can also make calls to non-Skype phones, via SkypeOut.
...
Skype has escaped from its niche and is heading for the mainstream. You might want to give it a try."

Note: no wsj.com subscription required to read the full article