Philips has announced the launch of its breakthrough cordless home videophone, the Philips VP5500, designed for making live video calls via broadband Internet. The VP5500, which is no different to operate than your normal cordless phone, supports both voice only calls and live video calls. The product has a built-in hands-free speaker system and you can also enable private hands-free calls, simply by attaching a headset.

What's exciting about the VP5500 is that it's Wi-Fi ready, which means that you get all the cordless freedom you need. The videophone has an integrated VGA video camera capable of rotating through 240-degrees. So, you can actually see what you are transmitting. The VP5500 features simultaneous display of both transmitted and received video feeds on its bright color LCD (2.2" TFT, 65K colors, QCIF+ 176 x 220 pixels). The camera can also capture still images and offers zoom facility. You can even hook-up the VP5500 to a TV so that your mates can see the action as well.

The VP5500 is good news for those who love Linux. The VP5500 runs Linux! It's designed to be a network-upgradeable platform which will enable Philips to enhance the product further in the future with value-added services offered by operators.

The VP5500 is available only in the Netherlands (in conjunction with KPN Telecom) at the moment. Philips plans to introduce the service in other parts of Europe starting 2006.

VP550 datasheet (PDF)

Product website: Philips VP550 VoIP Cordless Videophone

(via. eHomeUpgrade)