Handpicked Software

I wrote yesterday about three Internet telephony services (Skype, Gizmo, and yak Communications) that allow you to make free member-to-member phone calls over the Internet, as well as cheap Internet calls to landlines. But for the best quality calls, you’ll need a headset or handset. Ipevo has just announced the release of a beta software driver for OS X to support its Free-1 phone for making calls with Skype.

The Free-1 phone has a sleek design that won’t offend your Mac, plugs into a USB port, and offers a number of advanced phone functions, including programmable buttons, 10 selectable ring tones, acoustically isolated speaker and microphone to eliminate echo, and built-in volume control and mute button. It comes in Alpine White or Ultimate Black, supports Windows and Mac, and is reasonably priced at only $29.99.