World

As the title says, Asus has just announced the release of the first Skype compatible videophone - called AiGuru SV1. The AiGuru SV1 phone allows you to make free Skype calls to anyone in the world at no costs, as long as the other person is using Skype as well.

The phone boasts a 7″ LCD screen, built-in VGA web-cam, microphone and speaker and has a very user friendly icon based navigation menu that makes it really easy for anyone to use it. Users who wish to have privacy during their calls can use a standard mini-jack headset and microphone.

To start your Skype calling frenzy, you’ll either need an active WiFi connection ( b/n/g) or a free Ethernet port that will guarantee you an Internet connection - too bad the battery isn’t going to last more than 20 minutes without being connected to a power plug.

Another great thing about this product is the fact that you’ll be able to make or receive calls from fixed or mobile landlines at cheap rates - or at least that’s Asus’s plan.

The ASUS AiGuru SV1 will initially be available for pre-order on September 18, 2008 in Europe and North America from Skype’s online shop (www.skype.com/shop). It will be on sale at the beginning of October 2008 priced $299.95/€249.95/£199.95. The videophone will be available in retail outlets in the Asia Pacific region later this year.