Chwang Yi has introduced the USBphone, a $24 USB handset that enables Mac OS X-based Skype users to make and take telephone calls using the Voice over IP (VoIP) based communications service.
Skype does not require a handset to work — users can chat using instant messaging, or can communicate via voice if their Macs are equipped with microphones. But a handset such as this device makes the experience more like a real phone call.
Although the phone works with either Windows XP or Mac OS X, Chwang Yi has made available a control application for Mac users — something of a rarity in this market. The application allows you to change ringtones, switch between different sound devices, adjust speaker, microphone and key tone volume and more.
The USBphone requires Mac OS X v10.3 or later.