Asus Kickoff: Eee Videophone with 7-Inch Display

The Asus Videophone connects over wireless or Ethernet and depends on it for its operation. So a Skype phone can now spare the PC. Its usage pattern is for home or corporate office, seeing that its large size (202x123x253 mm) and 1.6 kg weight certainly precludes it from transportable use. Any private caller on Skype can video or call anyone over a wireless or Ethernet connection, including analog SkypeOut calls.

The 0.3-MPixel webcam serves for videotelephony and saves bandwidth due to its lower resolution, and the display is at 800x480 pixels. Large icons should make the device easier to use. In the U.S. the Videophone is already available as the model AiGuru SV1 for about $300. Asus product manager at the show, Jörg Wissing, couldn't give details about availability in Europe, nor specifics about the OS, except that Asus worked closely with Skype on the firmware.