by Mark Raby

Berlin (Germany) - With over 100 million customers already tapped into the voice-over IP messenger, Skype is now accessible through the first pair of cordless phones that integrate Skype software with a traditional landline phone, without the need to connect to a PC. The new phones will function almost identically to a regular handset - with the exception of emergency calls.

Skype phones have been available for over a year, but they require a Wi-Fi connection to a computer. Philips and Netgear are first to allow users to place calls using embedded Skype software without a separate connection to a PC. Skype to Skype calls are free and, at least until the end of the year calls to regular U.S. phone numbers are free as well. Story continues