Many fawn over the iPhone, while others ignore it, put off by the high initial cost and a ridiculous service contract. For many, Skype is the way to go. iSkoot has announced the December 2007 release of the White phone, the first Skype-dedicated mobile handset that uses iSkoot’s mobile Skype technology to place VoIP calls. You can make unlimited Skype calls and Skype chat directly from the handset for a monthly subscription fee. With iSkoot, you can view your buddy lists, make and receive Internet phone calls, and take part in instant messaging sessions with virtually any handset. The phones will be available in the U.K., followed by Italy and Australia.

The White Phone will be available in December on Skype’s website, www.skype.com