The Panasonic Panasonic KX-TCD 580 and USB adapter makes a superb communications machine. The reason the 580 is the perfect partner is because of the separate DECT base meaning you don’t have to locate the phone next to the computer to charge it. The way it works is that the uConnect takes the analogue signal from your traditional phone and converts it into digital data for transmission over the Internet. You will ideally need Broadband to get the best from uConnect and you do have to have the computer on to get the full benefit from the VoIP function. Your phone will work just as it always did, but pressing the * key twice will immediately activate Skype. VoIP voice recognition and speed dialling are features and you’ll even get a nifty caller display feature telling you if you’re getting an inbound Skype call and who it’s from: ‘S’ for Skype followed by their Skype username. Simple to use: Dial ** on your phone, and the Skype application appears on screen. Hear the voice prompt “Who would you like to Skype. Then You Dial the Skype contact name using the numbers on your phone keypad or dial the telephone number from your phone to make a low rate SkypeOut call. If your phone has caller display you will see the name of the Skype User contact calling you. Use you everyday phone to make your regular calls, SkypeOut calls and free Skype to Skype calls.

System Requirements:
PC with Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP.
400MHz Processor (CPU).
128MB RAM.
15MB Free hard disk space.
One free USB port (USB 1.1 or USB 2.0).
An internet connection (dial up: 33kps
minimum or broadband).
A working telephone line (required if
you want to make standard phone calls).