That is where the new GE 31591GE1 Digital Cordless Expandable Telephone comes in. This cordless handset has been designed specifically to work with Skype. Sure, there have been many devices to come out like it in the past, but the GE Digital Cordless Expandable Telephone has a significant ace up its sleeve – and that is its ability to also work with your landline. In other words, the system has a dual line capability.

Of course you don’t have to use the system with a landline, and you can always choose to use it exclusively for Skype. This is a great solution if you’re considering jumping ship and getting rid of your landline, but you’re not ready to replace your landline with Skype just yet. Or perhaps it’s that grandma or grandpa want to save money using Skype, but they don’t have a PC – then this PC free solution is a great way for them to start saving money using Skype. Either way, with this device, you have the best of both worlds.

The phone works totally independently of a PC. It’s also fully compatible with Skype – that means it will work with Skype to Skype calls, as well as SkypeOut and SkypeIn phone calls, and even allow you to access your Skype Voicemail. The phone also packs in DECT 6.0 Digital Technology, a 50 name/number call log, up to 10 hours talk time, caller ID/call waiting, a speakerphone, unlike most cordless handsets – it’s software upgradable and it can be expanded with up-to 5 handsets.

An ethernet cable, telephone base, charger, battery pack, and telephone line cord are all included in the package. Set-up is simple. Out of the box you’ll have to connect the GE Digital Cordless Expandable Telephone to your router via ethernet and plug your phone line into the telephone base. You’ll then have to log-in to your Skype account using the phone’s keypad. With a glossy black front plush, complimented by a silver trim and a white back finish, the system itself is quite attractive. Its back is also curved, making it comfortable to hold. Finally, it also sports a blue backlit keypad and a matching blue backlit display. Its set of keys include a dedicated Skype, Speakerphone, and mute button

From the phone’s menu system you can sign in to Skype and see which of your Skype contacts are online and set your Skype status. From the homescreen you can also see the current time and how much credit you have left in your account. Along the top of the handset’s  display are icons which indicate reception, missed calls, new voice mail, new authorization requests, battery status and more. When an incoming call comes in, the phone has a Distinctive Ring set up for each line that helps reduce confusion when the phone rings. Overall, the interface is straightforward and simple to use, with all of Skype’s essential function at your fingertips.

We tried using our Skype account to call other Skype users and to make phones calls. As far as Skype to Skype calls are concerned, quality is generally very good. Skype users on the other end said that we sounded very clear and we could hear them well too, although some faint background static could be heard. The same experience applied for SkypeOut calls to regular telephone numbers.

Conclusion

The GE 31591GE1Digital Cordless Expandable Telephone for Skype is truly the modern day answer to the cordless handset. It offers the best of both worlds – the ability to use Skype and save tons of money on calls – while not having to give up your landline. The system is easy to set-up and use, and also provides a quality calling experience.

Currently, Skype is running a special promotion where you can get the GE Digital Cordless Expandable Telephone for $89.99, with a year’s worth of Unlimited calls to US and Canada, plus up to 200 worldwide minutes. You can also choose to get the phone alone for $69.99 and that comes bundled with 400 international minutes. Overall, we think that this is a quite  a good value. Considering that a Dect 6.0 cordless handset would cost you at least $30, and that a yearly Skype subscription for calling the U.S. and Canada, would cost around $30 alone, this handset is a great deal. The system also helps transform Skype into a more direct competitor with the likes of NetTalk and MagicJack. Overall, we recommend this system and think that it should give you more reason to be using Skype than ever before.

The Good: Good call quality; attractive design; works independently of a PC; works with your land-line too; easy to set-up and use.

The Bad: Keypad keys are bit stiff; no dedicated volume button; cant purchase credit directly from the handset

Update 10/12/2011: Skype asked us to point out that if you use this telephone handset exclusively for Skype, you wont be able to use the phone to call 911.

T-mobile MyTouch 3G users rejoice! With a simple download from the Marketplace, you’ll now be able to enjoy Visual Voicemail just like all of those AT&T iPhone users do. Once you’ve downloaded and installed the file, all you have to do is run the app and after a few minutes of configuring it goes to work displaying all the voicemail in your mailbox. Take a look at the shots below for the full U.I.

The controls are OK, some maneuvers need a little bit to get used to. To get around, it is easily all controlled by the D-Pad with a jump action and your right thumb stick to move your view. You can also get around by swinging with a built in hook from your bionic arm, which is rather difficult. First you must aim and make sure the surface is able to be hooked, then you line up and fire your hook, from here you can either pull yourself right to the structure or grapple your way to a roof. You can also use it to swing from a light post to a monorail, the possibilities are limitless but when you have 5 or 6 guys hunting you down and shooting at you, trying to fiddle with this when you only have mere seconds to move can be challenging to say the least.

The weapons are pretty good, anything from your classic 9mm to a shot gun, You can only carry 48 rounds at a time on most weapons so if you are a trigger happy shooter type, I would seek out a cheat code for unlimited ammo and weapons. To aim you will see your circle target light up red when you are on target otherwise it will be white. You can zoom in by pressing your right thumb stick in. This would be a great feature for some other shooter games to put into play.

The graphics are decent during the game, similar to looks of the recent Capcom game, Resident Evil. One thing that I did not find to be helpful is in areas of radiation, lighting seemed to be an issue. Areas affected by radiation  are defined by a glowing blue color, these are areas you should not venture into, you will die within a few seconds. However due to the lighting, it is hard to actually tell which is a contaminated area, from above it is much easier to tell, but that does not help you when you are on the move on the ground.To get around there is no map, just your immediate target area is highlighted in the corner of the screen. You need to keep following your relays to stay on path. This was ok, but I still would prefer a full map feature. It is difficult when you are completely lost and cannot figure out how to get around buildings and radiation.

Sometimes classic games shouldn’t be messed with and even though it lacked the fancy schmancy graphics of this latest version. I still enjoyed the retro Bionic Commando much more. For those who are to young to remember the classic version, probably will enjoy this even with the frustrating movements of the bionic arm, those who remember the good ole’ days will probably not appreciate the remake. Bionic Commando retails for $39.79.

Good: As always Capcom doesn’t let us down with awesome graphics and a decent storyline.

Bad: Controls could be frustrating. Bionic arm was more of a pain than it was worth trying to get it to work, before getting killed.

The weather is getting warm, so you know what that means – more pretty and portable speakers are going to start popping up. iLuv, has announced that the iSP100 Mini Portable Stereo Speaker for iPod, iPhone 3G, 2G and MP3 Players is now available in pink, purple, silver and black. There is nothing really new here except the spring-like colors, but we’ll give you the lowdown again on the iSP100′s specs. Trying to not sound like some cheap tinny external speaker, the iSP100 features jAura Acoustic Speaker technology with 720° surround sound 4W Speakers, and a 3.5mm jack for unlimited connectivity. The palm size speaker comes with a carrying case for protection and storage and only requires three AAA batteries for it to work. The iLuv iSP100 Mini Portable retails for $34.99, expect to see them on a beach blanket near you.

Our nerdy selves are totally digging this lamp shade. It’s really just a simple lamp shade covered in the universal orange RSS symbol. This is probably a suitable gift for the web designer in your life – so that they can decorate their room like one big web site. However, as cute as this lamp shade is, we can’t help but wish that it did something neater than just lighting up a room – like maybe it could project news feeds on to your wall, but it disappointingly does not. The RSS Lamp Shade retails for $70.

The new Canon PowerShot SX200 IS packs in a lot of features considering that it’s still just a compact camera. For starters it’s got a 12x optical zoom to compliment its 12.1 megapixels. It’s also capable of going up to IS0 3200, it has got a 3.0″ LCD screen, an optical image stabilizer, and for those who dig HD – you can record HD video with a resolution of 1280×720 pixels. The SX200 IS also has HDMI output so you can connect it directly to your TV. Design wise, it’s got a somewhat traditional and boxy looking design which might not appeal to everyone, but it does come in the color choices of black, red, or blue. The Canon PowerShot SX200 IS is available now for $349.99. Overall, this is definitely more of a prosumer compact, and we expect it to make great shots like most of the PowerShot line.

I guess those who make plush toys are really not thinking about the dogs anymore but the humans who are buying them. I mean how else would you explain headphones and radio shaped plush toys. I am impressed with the details of both the Snoop Dogg Pets Plus Headphones and Snoop Dogg Pets Plus Boom-box but honestly do we need our pets to chew on everything that looks real…

Unlike many USB keys these days – preloaded goodies come loaded on to it. RayD80 comes fully loaded with games, wallpaper and it is also serves as a regular thumb drive, which these days is very handy to have with you. The games that are already loaded onto this thumb drive are similar to a Tetris game where you need to line up three of the same color blocks in order to get rid of the color line and as the blocks build up, they come down faster. You are also able to rearrange the colors so they can fit to the blocks that are already lined up. This is a very classic game which makes the player think quick and ahead. It is a good game to keep the mind going as I find myself playing similar games online all the time.

Another great feature the Mimobot has is wallpapers for your computer. You can personalize your computer  with the Mimobot as it comes preloaded with different wallpapers, avatars, and desktop icons. This is something different that no other thumb drive will have. If you purchase other characters from the Mimobot line you will also get games, avatars, wallpaper, etc..associated with that character.

RayD80 is plug and play and your computer will recognize the software and begin searching through different wallpapers and other available applications. There really is no thinking involved.

Conclusion:
Overall this is a great purchase which has some nice features and also serves as a storage device. Also included in the package is a cute Mimobot felt jacket for your character and some stickers.  I highly recommend the Mimbot to any student or adult on the go looking to to get their USB Key noticed. It also makes for a cheerful desk decoration.  RayD80 retails for $24.95 for the 1gb version, 29.95 for the 2gb version, 39.95 for the 4gb version, and 59.95 for the 8gb version from Mimoco.

The Good:
Adorable  and fun design, comes preloaded with goodies like wallpaper and games

The Bad:
More expensive than ordinary USB keys, but worth it

Can’t afford a real DeLorean time machine for yourself? Here is the next best thing. The Back to the Future II DeLorean Vehicle is an exclusive from Entertainment Earth. It’s got special wheels that pop up for “flight mode”, the wheels also spin, the gull-wing doors open, and it has got electronic lights and sounds to complement all this action. The description even says that the car can fit in 3 3/4 inch scale action figures such as Hasbro’s G.I. Joes and Star Wars lines. Hey, at least your action figures will be able to time travel now. The Exclusive Back to the Future II DeLorean Vehicle is up for preorder for $34.99.

You won’t be making a fashion statement with this hat, that is for sure. But it will display how committed you are to producing green energy. The Solar Powered Ventilated Cap will help you avoid the sun and keep you cool at the same time as it transforms the solar energy to operate a working fan on the bill of your hat. The hat itself is your typical adjustable baseball hat and there is no need for any extra batteries as the hat charges itself. It’s available only in blue and at Computer Geeks.com

The Mr Man Computer Case from Paul Frank is the perfect compliment to your Julius iPhone case. The Neoprene/saber laptop bag with plaid printed vinyl has two front pockets, the famous embroidered Paul Frank logo, and waterproof zippers. It’s the perfect case for all those netbooks out there as it fits 12″ laptops best and retails for a not too bad $48.