Here’s a novel idea for cord cutters who have ditched the landline but still need to use a desk or cordless phone from Panasonic. It’s called Linked To Cell and it works via Bluetooth.
Basically the Link To Cell system serves a BlueTooth gateway, connecting the mobile phone via BlueTooth on one side to a base station that supports Panasonic’s DECT phones.
I see this as one more example of wireless cellular networks being dumb pipes, and at the same time contributing to the erosion of landline business around the globe. As 4G rolls out and there’s less need for landlines connectivity, devices like Link To Cell will play a bigger role in how we are connecting and staying more connected.
Better yet, use any phone you want…
http://www.smithgear.com/itc-bt.html
Or, take that, pump it into an FXO gateway and into a phone system.
The concept of ‘tethering’ cellphones to the home/office system is not a new one – there have been a number of products produced that offer such functionality, some good, some less good.
One of the better producers of such technology are the Siemens Gigaset team (whose products I have used at home for some time).
The SIEMENS GIGASET SX353 [ http://www.1pabx.com/wirelesspabx.html ] is one example.