Thursday, April 28, 2011

Review: netTALK DUO VoIP Device And Digital Phone Service

VoIP devices offering digital phone service seem to be all the rage these days. It seems more and more people are opting to disconnect from their traditional phone services and look for cheaper alternatives. Today we get our hands on the new netTALK DUO and throw it through a few tests.

netTALK DUO2 Duo VOIP Telephone free USA and Canada Calling


Introduction

The netTALK DUO is new an up-and-coming competitor in the VoIP market. Competing against the likes of the MajicJack, with one great advantage there is no computer necessary to use the netTALK DUO. Simply plug the little box directly into a router or modem (or computer) and connect your phone or fax machine and you are up and running.

The services, or what you are paying for

The suggested retail price for the device is $69.95, including the entire first year of phone service and only $29.95 each year after. For the cost of your one year subscription you get digital phone service that includes free nationwide calls to any phone in the U.S. and Canada from anywhere in the world, as well as some pretty decent international rates. The device also offers a slew of other features such as; Free 411 Directory Assistance, Enhanced 911 Service, Three Way Calling, Call Forwarding and Call Waiting. (more details here)

More Features
  • Plug and play compatible
  • 1 x RJ-11 port (telephone), 1 x RJ-45 Ethernet port
  • Mini USB to PC or Power port
  • 3' USB to Mini A connector
  • 3' Ethernet cable
  • Color: Black/Chrome
  • Free calling to the US & Canada or DUO to DUO
  • No computer needed / No contracts / No monthly bills
  • Ultra-low cost international calling rates
  • First year of service is included. $29.95 each additional year
  • Live US-based technical support and personalized customer service
  • Free 411 directory assistance, Enhanced 911, visual voicemail, call waiting, conference calling, conference bridge, and fax friendly

Setup, is it really that easy to use

I've used several of the supposed plug and play devices and I've noticed most the time they aren't always as easy as they are suggested as being. The netTALK DUO really is just that simple. At the most you'll need to download the drivers for the computer setup option, otherwise all you do is drop by http://login.nettalk.com and follow the steps outlined.

I didn't want to be stuck leaving the device connected to my computer so I opted for the 'router setup' which allowed me to connect the device directly to one of the ports on my Linksys E4200. After dropping by the login site and setting up my info it was just a matter of plugging in a few cords and waiting for the device to automatically sync with the nettalk network.

In the matter of just a few minutes I was up and running and could make calls.

Call quality and features

With most of these devices the biggest question is "can you hear me now?" For me the voice quality seemed very good. I'd compare it to that of my AT&T cellphone service, which may or may not say alot. The option of not having it connected to a computer is great. I did some testing with it connected, mainly to try out the netTALK videophone app. I didn't actually get to make any calls but it looked like it would be fun.

They also have a NetTalk app for your Android, iPhone or Blackberry based smartphone (download here). I didn't really see the usefulness of this app, but then again I don't have a phone to try it on.

Since this is really a secondary line only setup for the review I only did a limited amount of testing. So to be honest I didn't get to test most of the other features like voice-mail and call waiting. I didn't want to give out a number that would see limited use to all my callers and all my voice-mail goes through my Ribbit Mobile account which I didn't feel like changing.

As an overall opinion this would be a great device for a small office that requires an actual in office line or someone that wants the functions of a land line without the cost. Being able to fax from the netTALK DUO is a definite plus as I do a ton of faxing. I would have liked the option of a couple extra phone ports but that's really not a big deal.

The netTALK DUO is currently available from Dell.com, Newegg and WalMart.com and sales for $69.99 with a full one year service included.

23 comments:

  1. Anonymous6:24 AM

    Hi,
    Can you get Free Canadian Area Codes with this Item when bought in Canada on Amazon.ca??? No Pay for a Canadian Area Code.
    Ted+

    ReplyDelete
  2. I believe they only support free US phone numbers

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous9:26 AM

    I've had it for over a month now and absolutely thrilled with it -am planning on getting rid of land line with its absurd taxes!!! This will also get rid of unsolicited calls I receive!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous4:09 AM

    The smartphone app allows me to make wiFi calls from my iPhone without buying an actual nettalk DUO device! ...of course this requires a smartphone.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous6:30 AM

    Go to amazon.ca for Canada. $79.99 includes first year and canadian number. Then $39.99 per year

    limeted are codes
    BC : 778 ( Vancouver)
    AB : 587 - 403
    ON : 647 - 289 - 613 - 705 ( Toronto,Mississauga,Ottawa,Sault Ste. Marie )
    QC : 438 ( Montreal)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous5:14 PM

    8/22/2011
    Can you keep your present phone number with this device?
    Anonymous

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:46 AM

      yes, and for a limited time you can have it ported for free.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous7:34 AM

    No nettalk does not offer number portability therefore you cannot keep your existing number.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:33 PM

      I am a nettalk customer (1yr) and yeas there are for a limited time offering free to port over your old phone number! Checkout the NEW wifi nettalk too.

      Delete
    2. They do now yes, at the time of this review they did not however and we've reviewed the new NetTalk Duo WiFi if that interests you

      Delete
  8. Anonymous8:33 PM

    if I have a phone upstairs and one downstairs....do I get a second router? Will that work?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous5:06 PM

    will this work with dsl?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:34 PM

      Yes it will, DSL,Cable Internet, WISP...but NOT with any satellite Internet no matter who the voip is.

      Delete
  10. It should work with almost any internet provider, dsl cable satellite ect

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:31 PM

      No voip will work with any satellite internet due to its HUGE lag (ping) time. M/J & Nettalk both have this info on their websites about satellite internet noncompatabilty.

      Delete
    2. I've never seen that they mention it doesn't work with satellite. Perhaps I've just not seen it, but yes if you have a high ping rate with lots of lag no matter what the service is you'll likely experience issues.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous9:01 PM

    Can I use this to call any landline anywhere in the world?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your calls won't be free, you'll be charge whatever their international rate is. You'll need to double check their website for more details on that.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous1:30 PM

    Does this work with your home security system to enable the call out feature?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:01 PM

      It should. Just remember that the internet connection needs to be active. I plan to use this with the X10 home security system. I'll plug the router into an old UPS so in the event of power failure the access to the internet will still permit VOIP phone.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous6:51 PM

    I live 7 months in Canada and 5 months in Florida. Can I have a phone number in both places?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous5:59 PM

    This service will show missed calls date/time on the phone? Yes/NO?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes as the features list suggest it has standard caller ID so it would show missed calls

      Delete

All comments will be moderate for content, please be patient as your comment will appear as soon as it has been reviewed.

Thank you
Geek-News.Net