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YapperBox + Skype = P2P VoIP
In techno-speak, YapperBox is a telephone gateway that uses Skype as its VoIP communication backbone. In plain English, YapperBox allows you to make Skype Internet calls with any regular phone set.

What is VoIP? Why the Hype?
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. Basically, this means voice communication over the Internet. Studies forecast that VoIP will completely replace traditional phone lines by 2010. The driving factor of this revolution is cost. By integrating voice into the Internet, VoIP companies have negligible operational cost. In fact, if you have already paid for the Internet, you should not pay monthly fees for the phone service.

Skype: the Engine that Powers YapperBox
Skype is a free IM program, much like MSN and Yahoo Messenger. Unlike others, Skype focuses on voice communication rather than on text messaging. It boasts the best voice quality, secure encryption, and an amazing call completion rate.

YapperBox simply connects your home telephone to Skype. Then you get a complete phone service, for free!
Distributed P2P vs. Centralized SIP
VoIP consists of two main architectures: Distributed P2P and Centralized SIP platforms.

Today, 95% of VoIP services operate on centralized SIP gateways and servers. Examples include Vonage and AT&T CallVantage. You continue to pick up the phone and dial as you used to. Unfortunately, you must pay monthly fees.

Skype uses a distributed P2P network, made famous by music sharing applications such as Kazaa and Napster. Skype divides the computational tasks and assigns them to users’ computers for processing. Since all computations are done locally at users’ computers, centralized equipment is not needed, and monthly costs are zilch!
Where YapperBox Comes In
YapperNut brings Vonage’s and AT&T CallVantage’s telephone gateway into your home in the form of YapperBox. YapperBox enables your home telephone to communicate with the Skype network, so that now you can enjoy the latest VoIP technology without committing to monthly contracts.

YapperBoxâ„¢ connects your PC to any home telephone, enabling you to make free calls within the Skype network and cheap calls to international numbers. Untether yourself from that USB phone once and for all.

Windows 2000 and XP only. Broadband required.

Features:

* Amy software
Amy adds free Voicemail, Delayed Messaging, Voice Memo, and more!
* Morning call
Setup your YapperBoxâ„¢ to call you with a customized wakeup message.
* Separate audio for Skype calls
Talk using the YapperBoxâ„¢ as your friend watches DVD's on your computer.
* and more...

No More Scrambling
Do you scramble to find your headset or USB phone every time a Skype call comes in? Sneak the phone into your mouse and put an end to all that scrambling.

Carry Less Stuff
Replace your separate mouse and USB phone with just one YapperMouse. Travel with ease.

Privacy on the Road
Having a conversation using a notebook’s mic and speakers may be great… if you didn’t have to broadcast your conversation to the entire airport. YapperMouse allows you to have a private conversation even in a sea of people.

Yappernut Yappermouse
By Sean Carrol
02.15.06

Remember the scene in Star Trek IV where a time-traveling Mr. Scott picks up a mouse and tries to talk to a circa-1986 MacIntosh? YapperNut has made that nerdy dream a reality.
Well, you can't actually talk to
your computer, but if you have the YapperMouse ($29.95 direct) and the Skype client, you can talk to your friends. YapperMouse is a fine 800-dpi optical mouse and a phone as well. When it rings (you can set it to vibrate if you want to keep a low profile), simply pick it up and talk. It's already connected to your computer and its Skype client via USB, so as long as the computer is set up, you're ready to go, without having to pack a handset. If you're self-conscious about talking into a mouse, it's got a speakerphone, too.