Device sends cell calls to your land-line phone

The Dallas Morning News (MCT) - I'm meeting more and more people who are contemplating dropping their land lines and relying on their cell phones.

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Most of these people are younger _ they grew up with cell phones and have no great affection for Ma Bell or the phones attached to their walls at their homes.

I also talk to older readers who would like to eliminate the $40 to $60 associated with their monthly phone bills but don't feel comfortable using only a cell phone.

They like picking up the good old home phone and hearing a dial tone.

These people should take a long look at the XLink BT from Xtreme Technologies.

The $80 XLink BT is a small box that connects your cell phone to your home phone.

Once you pair the cell phone and XLink BT, your home phone uses the cell phone to make and receive phone calls.

Picture this: You get home from work, take your cell phone out of your pocket and plug it into the charger. Once your cell phone is within 50 feet of the XLink BT, it automatically pairs up and your cell calls now ring to the phone connected to the XLink.

Does your house have a cell phone dead spot like mine does? You can position your cell phone where you get the best signal, and as long as it's within Bluetooth range of the XLink BT, you're in business.

Pick up your home phone and you still hear that familiar dial tone. Dial the phone and you're actually making a call on your cell phone.

It's as simple as it sounds.

In fact, the XLink BT can connect up to three cell phones to your traditional phone and ring differently depending on whose phone is being called. You'll even see the caller ID information.

The XLink works exactly as advertised and took two minutes to unbox and set up.

Then you can pick up your traditional phone and use it like you always have.

I think I could set this up in my parents' home and they'd never suspect they were not using their home phone.

If you want to ditch your home phone line but still want the convenience of your home phone, the XLink BT is exactly the device you'll need. Price: $80

Pros: Simple to set up and works exactly as advertised.

Cons: None are apparent.

Bottom line: This device is a real breakthrough. Bridging the traditional phone and cell phone will provide cost savings while retaining convenience.

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(Jim Rossman is a technology columnist for the Dallas Morning News. He can be reached at techhelp@dallasnews.com.)

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© 2009, The Dallas Morning News.