Skype is great, but it’s also kind of a pain in the ass if you’re talking to someone that has a crappy microphone. And Skype realizes that, so it put its engineers to work on a “super-secret” project: A headset that anyone could use, anywhere.
And today the company unveiled the FREETALK Everyman headset, a USB super wideband audio headset. While first and foremost the goal was to ensure great call quality, Skype also notes that this headset is, “lightweight and folds flat so you can throw it in your bag with your laptop.”
This roadtest review gives a full overview of how it works. Their conclusion? It’s good, but the best part is the price: $22.88. Good-quality headsets usually cost much more than that.
Of course, this super-secret Skype project did not solve the problem of looking like a huge dork when you are wearing a headset talking to a computer screen, but it’s a start.
You can buy the FREETALK Everyman headset here.
This should totally be a story.
What would be great is a mobile device with a webcam to skype anybody in video !
Next Iphone ? Next Ipod ?
Link to buy the headset is broken
thx fixed.
Is this a news article or an ad pushing skypes new product?? Tisk tisk techcrunch…
As if any of the multitudes of iPhone reviews are “pushing” Apple’s products.
Thanks for the article techcrunch… it actually, for those of who travel and use Skype, is a very useful article.
It is unclear whether I can use this headset on a regular non-Skype phone instrument. If yes it is awesome since it covers my Skype, MP3, and landline/mobile phone needs
In the article, click on “Roadtest Review” in green text. It tells you the details.
Just go out and buy a Logitech Notebook headset. I got mine refurbed for $15. Its sound quality, folds, has a storage box, and also has a usb adapter.
Of course the Logitech Notebook headset is twice the price new. I don’t think you can compare a refurb to new.
I’m pretty sure when you “unleash” a headset, it just sits there on the table. It’s not an animal, even metaphorically speaking.
For what it’s worth, I use the iPhone headset. Seems to work pretty well, and I don’t have to carry around another thing.
Looks miserably, if you throw it into laptop bag it will probably break into pieces.
This would be interesting and noteworthy if they designed the headphones as an open hardware project. This is just another pair of headphones… built by a software company.
Hot diggity damn! This is beyond awesome!
..they should spend more time fixing that pos 4.0 software release.
$%^&8#@!!
They do look pretty cheap, but as long as they work well it’s cool. It’s a good business move by Skype anyway. Why not manufacturer and sell the 1 product needed by all of your customers? It is just like fast food chains that have farms or factories for all of their supplies.
If I’m having a private conversation, using a device like this, and by doing so, you judge me to look like a dork, then, by all means, keep walking.
Because I don’t need someone who is so superficial, and “judge a book by it’s cover” mentality, anywhere near me.
Go be tragicly cool somewhere else. Preferably, out-of-state.
Good stuff, and nice to see that’s it’s about half the price of a normal headset. For those of us who are on Skype frequently during the day, will we see a wireless version of this next?
Skype accessories has been around for years- companies like iPevo makes much more elegant solutions
I suggest you google the definition of dork and the connection with whales
NIce move from skype, some work till need to be done on the design for the next version(it doesn’t necessarily mean more cost), it looks like a Dj headset, pretty big.
For UK it’s £18.51, free delivery, here:
http://shop.sky...an-headset.html
I already have a folding USB headset thingummy which I use on the move.
But I’m tempted to get one to see if it’s any good with Dragon Naturally Speaking at the office. I can also listen discretely to music at the same time then
I will not be able to put it in my laptop bag. Its huge. May be suitable for ma desktop pc.
i find it amazing that bluetooth earpieces are not the most popular headset option for skype(and other VOIP) users.
and if not bluetooth than why there are not all sorts of adapters to use cell phone wired handfree devices with computers.
They sure have taken some shortcuts on this one. Feels very cheap and vital things are taken out of it. There is no volume control or mute button, for example. If someone screams in my ear I have to fiddle with the software in order to lower or mute the volume: I might get deaf in the process.