Siemens Gigaset S440 review

DECT Performance is faultless and the pc connectivity, colour, multiple, downloadable ringtones, make this the best home phone I have found. Add in the Skype ability and you have the ultimate gadget - combined with the M34 - it's a fantastic experience. Connectivity is superb - even at 200ft up my garden - it worked fine.
Regards Graeme

Bought this for Skype compatibility though haven't bought the USB adapter yet. Voice clarity good, feels solid with mobile-like menu features and will also take a headset. PC connection not yet working, first attempt to install the drivers didn't work - surprising as XP usually works well with USB devices. Battery lasts for ages. No regrets.
Regards Chris

Thanks very much for the service, the phones are excellent.
Regards Mr. Nick Parsons - Young

It took a while, but finally I'm holding the new S440 in my hands. Not only that, I even was able to connect it to my computer and Skype via the Siemens M34 USB.

The installation of the M34 is complicated, at least in comparison with other software installation processes, and it left me with an uneasy feeling after clicking so many times on the 'Ignore' button after receiving several Windows XP compatibility warnings, but in the end, it worked. But this review is not about the M34, it's about the S440.

It's quite a sophisticated phone considering all the software Siemens packed into it. Apart from making phone calls (via landlines and via the internet) and the usual alarm, SMS and phone book capabilities, you can use it as a remote control for your computer or a messenger console, i.e. with MSN messenger. Things I don't really use. And things, I believe, make navigating through the phone settings rather slow. As mentioned, less would be more.

The hardware is excellent, great sound quality and the best loudspeaker of all the hands free phones I've ever had. Size and weight is comfortable and using the phone is as easy as with every other modern phone. Pressing the buttons results in a rather hard clack, rather than a smooth click, but I guess I and my fingers will get used to it. The colour screen is bright and reasonably large but the design is pretty poor. In general, the interface as well as the overall phone design, is disappointing.

There's nothing which reminds you of the elegance and understated coolness Siemens phone were known for. The phone looks like a product form the 80's and it would have fitted well in a DeLorean car, but since they didn't try to make it feel retro, it just looks out of date. Well, design is (also) a matter of taste so I'm sure others will disagree. Overall, I'm happy with the phone and using it with Skype is easy, so I'm giving it 4 out of 5 stars.
Regards Alexander