For those times when you absolutely need to make a Skype phone call and use your computer and still save a USB port, there's the USB Skype Mouse. The Skype Mouse doubles as a USB Mouse and a USB Skype Phone connected to your computer, and claims to switch seamlessly between the two when the mouse is used as a phone. To switch to phone mode, the top of the mouse opens up to reveal a number pad and LCD screen that you can use to make and receive calls. The mouse claims to seamlessly integrate with Skype and several other VoIP services, and even supports functions like hands-free dialing, speakerphone, and multiple ring tones. When in mouse mode, the 800 dpi optical sensor on the bottom offers mousing precision.

Okay, now that I've discussed the features, there are some serious drawbacks, aside from the notion of a USB Skype Mouse/Phone being ridiculous in general. First, when the mouse is closed, the keypad and the LCD screen are unavailable and the computer doesn't recognize the device as a Skype phone, making it useless as a dual-purpose device. When the screen is open, you can use the caller ID and contact list, but it won't ring when its closed, and you can't change audio devices while on a Skype call. Either it's a mouse or a phone, depending on how you want to use it. Also, I'm not particularly fond of being on a Skype call but not being able to control my computer at the same time.

I'm always a big fan of making more devices multipurpose. I follow the "Alton Brown" school of engineering - if at all possible, everything I own should pull double-duty and do more than one thing. But in this case, save yourself the $35 bucks and pick up a separate mouse and Skype phone.