[timmerk]

Hi,

I am moving into a new place soon, and don't want to pay for a phone landline. However, when at home, I like to use normal phones. Does anyone know of a device that provides a phone jack on one end (RJ11 connector) and generates a dial tone, and on the other end, redirects the digit tones to the cell phone?

Thanks and sorry if this was the wrong forum to post it in.

[tooki]

I don't think such a thing even exists. Why would it? Most people would just as soon grab the cellphone and make the calls directly.

tooki

[tavilach]

I think you have two options. Either get this little dock ($140), which will let you use a normal phone that you already have:

http://www.phonelabs.com/prd05.asp

...or get this little device ($30), which will at least feel like a normal phone (but you'll be forced to dial with your cell):

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/7830/

Of course, the latter only lets you use that one handset. I'm assuming that the former is more of what you're after.

[mishakim]

Here's another one: Merge . Note it only works with Motorola, and doesn't support Bluetooth, as opposed to the PhoneLabs, which works with just about every brand and BT.

From what I can tell, both products use the second line in your house for cell calls, but Merge uses it's own switch between the jack and phone for each phone so that you can use single-line phones. PhoneLabs on the other hand doesn't bother with extra hardware, and just tells you to use two-line phones if you want a single handset to use both cell and land.

Neither includes built-in antenna, but I've found that just leaving the cell stationary makes a big improvement, and these let you do that.

[tooki]

Maybe the gadget in this NY Times article.

tooki

[inkhead]

"when you are at home you like normal phones" well then the answer is NO. It will always be a cellphone.

What difference does it make if you call on a cellphone or your landline? Just use your cellphone in your house. If you need to hear a dialtone to make call, then record it and play it in the background so you can pretend it's just "like a grown up phone"

Originally Posted by timmerk

Hi,

I am moving into a new place soon, and don't want to pay for a phone landline. However, when at home, I like to use normal phones. Does anyone know of a device that provides a phone jack on one end (RJ11 connector) and generates a dial tone, and on the other end, redirects the digit tones to the cell phone?

Thanks and sorry if this was the wrong forum to post it in.

[Cold Warrior]

Originally Posted by tooki

Maybe the gadget in this NY Times article.

tooki

seconded. This looks like an elegant solution.

[Cadaver]

Originally Posted by tavilach

...or get this little device ($30), which will at least feel like a normal phone (but you'll be forced to dial with your cell):

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/7830/

Of course, the latter only lets you use that one handset. I'm assuming that the former is more of what you're after.

The only thing missing from this picture is a big L on the guy's head for "loser."
Oh, and perhaps a beautiful woman kicking him in the crotch.

(fixed typo)

[mishakim]

Originally Posted by inkhead

What difference does it make if you call on a cellphone or your landline? Just use your cellphone in your house. If you need to hear a dialtone to make call, then record it and play it in the background so you can pretend it's just "like a grown up phone"

There are several reasons to do this. One, if your cell signal is weak, it can improve things to leave the cell phone stationary and use a separate handset or headset to talk -- holding the cell up to your head and moving around both degrade the signal. Two, if you can only get signal in one part of the house (or just don't want to carry the cell around with you), this can allow you to make calls from other rooms, just like with a landline. Three, if your cell is not ergonomic (and most aren't), it can be more comfortable to use a landline handset for long calls. I'm sure there are other reasons, but those are mine.

[tooki]

Originally Posted by Cadaver

The only thing missing from this picture is a big L on the guy's head for "looser."
Oh, and perhaps a beautiful woman kicking him in the crotch.

Looser, tighter... same difference! More like nerd!

tooki

[Cadaver]

Originally Posted by tooki

Looser, tighter... same difference! More like nerd!

tooki

My bad Post fixed...

[inkhead]

Actually if your cellphone signal is weak you should get a different carrier. Or at least have tried your phone out for signal at home when you bought it and returned it the minute you didn't get signal. You

Originally Posted by mishakim

There are several reasons to do this. One, if your cell signal is weak, it can improve things to leave the cell phone stationary and use a separate handset or headset to talk -- holding the cell up to your head and moving around both degrade the signal. Two, if you can only get signal in one part of the house (or just don't want to carry the cell around with you), this can allow you to make calls from other rooms, just like with a landline. Three, if your cell is not ergonomic (and most aren't), it can be more comfortable to use a landline handset for long calls. I'm sure there are other reasons, but those are mine.