Verizon Hub "landline slayer" officially unveiled

We've been on the trail of the Verizon Hub since way back when it was called the Verizon One, in fact, but it's just been officially announced, and there are plenty of details to report now. The system boasts a 7-inch touchscreen display, and will work with Verizon wireless subscribers handset(s) to eliminate the need for a landline (people still have those!?) The idea here is that the hub can sync to your calendar, contacts, maps, traffic and weather reports via broadband. It can also send and receive text messages, and do all kinds of cute little tasks like send driving directions to your phone. Subscribers have to live in an E911-capable area, and will be able to bring any phone number with them if they want to sign up for new service. The hardware's going to cost $200 (after a $50 mail-in rebate) with a subscription fee of $35 per month -- which comes with unlimited minutes and texts to and from the device. It'll be available starting February 1st. Get ready.

[Via Phone Scoop]

[armyjon99 @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:23PM]

Pretty sweet, I may pick up one of these.

[suicycle.com @ Jan 23rd 2009 3:23PM]

I like it, too. However, if you have more than one person (and more than one cell phone number) in the house -- then you probably need to have more than one of these. That might make the offering a little less attractive for some. Now if they had one of these with an integrated femtocell, then I might switch back to VZW.

[Saad @ Jan 24th 2009 1:32AM]

My landline is my backup.

It sucks being out of comuniciation at home becuase your cell broke/was stolen/dinosaurs.

[neodorian @ Jan 23rd 2009 7:19PM]

I would get one if it was an EVDO/WiMax femtocell. That way I could use my cell and home phone on the same plan. With the 3g/4g it could easily be a video phone too.

[dosmoney @ Jan 23rd 2009 9:36PM]

they will be selling a femtocell beginning later this week. i heard some employees talking about it.

[waiownsyou @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:23PM]

Yeah, people still have landlines. I only have it because it's required for my DSL. Ugh.

[Joshua Walters @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:27PM]

You need a landline for DSL? On Verizon you can do a dry loop. It costs all of $3 more.

[Josh @ Jan 23rd 2009 2:03PM]

i have to have one to buzz people into my apt...i never make calls from it though, kind of sucks

[kal326 @ Jan 23rd 2009 2:06PM]

AT&T will sell you DSL without requiring home phone service as well. The only probably is that speed tier to speed tier without home service is more expensive without then the combined cost of DSL and home phone with. The biggest kicker is that without home phone service you can only get up to 3Mb down and something like 512k up, with it tops out at 6Mb/768k.

So because of this I have a phone and a fax on the home line, vast majority of the time its used for fax.

[atomicthumbs @ Jan 23rd 2009 2:14PM]

I have a landline because I don't have and don't want a cell phone. Fear me. Amateur radio provides all the mobile phone calling I need.

[Aaron @ Jan 23rd 2009 2:46PM]

Time for an apt upgrade. My building forwards the intercom right to my cellphone. Just press 6 and the door unlocks.

[Jiggy1 @ Jan 23rd 2009 3:04PM]

@Josh,

I had the same problem, needing a phone line to buzz people into my appt. Rather than buying a landline just for that, I set up a grandcentral account (free), had the appt buzzer ring that line, then Grandcentral route the call to both mine and my wife's cell phone at the same time. That way we can even let someone in for deliveries if we're not home.

Not sure if that would work for you, but it might save you a landline.

[Kevin @ Jan 23rd 2009 3:54PM]

@Josh

My condo told me I needed to keep my landline to use the buzzer (old building...late 70s). But I really didn't want to do that, so I canceled my landline, but made sure they didn't cut my line. So I still get a dialtone on my landline and my buzzer still works, but if I try to make a call (besides 911) the message will say my phoneline is not active. So all you really have to make sure of is they don't cut your line, just deactivate your account.

[Josh @ Jan 26th 2009 12:07PM]

thanks for all the replies, i have to get on this and see what i can do

[Alex @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:25PM]

Interesting...

I'm still waiting on some kind of unified solution for contacts/calendar etc.

[el Capitan @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:27PM]

Errr.....$35 a month. Why? Like 98% of US/EU 20-30yr olds, I have a mobile and a computer with internet. What could I use this for?

[rcappo @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:33PM]

I agree. I'm trying to get rid of as many monthly bills as possible. This device looks like a cell phone that is meant for a home and not to be carried around. I have a cell phone already and a iPod Touch with free WiFi, why would I need this?

If I wanted to turn my cell phone into a home phone, I would buy a $5-$10 baby monitor and put the phone next to it.

[Aj @ Jan 26th 2009 10:38PM]

true.
save the 200$ +35$/mnth and get a small computer for the kitchen or wherever you would put this.
skype, weather, directions... its all there on the www... no need for this.....???

[edpsx @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:47PM]

Its about the same as Sprint charging a monthly fee for you to use their femtocell device. What a crock!

[boe @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:47PM]

I agree as well. While I would want something like this if I were to buy another landline phone, I certainly wouldn't get it if I had to pay a subscription fee - particularly since I don't even have Verizon.

Does it sync with standard BT headsets? I never want to use a hand set for any extended period of time and I don't like wired tethers.

[norm @ Jan 23rd 2009 2:16PM]

I have cell service through T-Mobile and just recently switched from Vonage for my land line to T-Mobile@Home. It's only $10/month if you already have T-Mobile cell service. I can't use it to send or receive texts, but that's really the only difference in how it uses the cell network.

From the description above, it sounds like this Verizon hub uses broadband for most of the touchscreen-based information features instead of using the cell network, so what are they giving you that's worth $35/month?

[Joseph @ Jan 23rd 2009 4:01PM]

Verizon is basically selling you a VoIP phone with your cell phone's number.

[parki @ Jan 23rd 2009 4:55PM]

First thing I had to ask myself: "What am I getting for $200 + $35/month?" and I still haven't been able to think of a good answer. It seems Verizon's people are sitting around asking each other "How do we make more money?" rather than "What problems do our customers have, and how do we solve it at a reasonable price?"

[nerdherder @ Jan 23rd 2009 7:02PM]

I can't believe they want to charge a monthly fee for this. It's just crazy, who would really pay this fee? And for using my internet? Give me a break.

[Alistair loveless @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:28PM]

Make some sort of time table calendar and offer multiple lines and this would be great for any small office.

I am actually a little impressed with this. this might actually make me get another phone other than my cell.


MAYBE...

[Joshua Walters @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:29PM]

I was really hoping this could just be added onto my cellphone plan. We have a line that we use specifically for our home phone. Thats only $10 more. I dont see why anyone would pay $35 more instead. They both have all the same feautures.

[kal326 @ Jan 23rd 2009 2:10PM]

Indeed, if they had a box that converted from cell network to traditional RJ11 for use with like a fax or other landline based devices for the price of a cell phone line add on cost of 9.99 or what ever the charge, it would be a hell of a deal. I think the reason they are doing it for $35 is that they are giving unlimited minutes/texts to the device.

[sstorm43 @ Jan 23rd 2009 7:26PM]

Um, this looks pretty sweet but for $35 a month, how exactly would you consider this eliminating your land line? I'm pretty sure I can get a land line for less than $35 a month...

[Selaam @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:51PM]

Is this the thing that is suppose to be like putting a cell phone tower in your house?

[fistpittingnork @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:32PM]

Slayerrrrrrrrr!

\m/

[dukrous @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:40PM]

What I want is something that'll work like a femtocell. Is this it? If I'm out and about with my VZ phone and I come home, will it automatically take over calls from my phone if it's docked? Will it dock? Will it charge my phone? :)

It's nice to have a set like this, but I want a solution that works for me now.

[southbay_11 @ Jan 23rd 2009 3:08PM]

No this is completely separate. We are coming out with a femtocell that can support up to 3 calls in a 5000sq ft radius. So if that reception in your house is garbage then you'd want that. This phone really does have it all though. If you think about it, it has unlimited calling, texts and pix messaging, it give you weather up dates, movie times, and you can make notes on it, for $35 bucks a month thats not a bad deal at all. Ill probably give up my vonage for this.

[Jeff @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:43PM]

I would love this if it worked like the T-Mobile one where you can just use it as a home version of your cell phone, all calls get forwarded to it and you just pay like $10 bucks on top of your current bill for it

[jinjin @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:46PM]

chumby phone plz

[derF @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:46PM]

Why?

[Charlie @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:47PM]

I find it amazing how great the cell phone companies have gotten at adding more and more money on to the already large pay per month bills. America....home of the monthly bills.

[Jeremy K. @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:47PM]

Epic Fail. $35 a month? No thanks.

The T-Mobile device costs $39.99 plus $9.99 a month.

Verizon is asking you to pay $200 + $35 a month just so you can have an internet connected touchscreen telephone, which is pretty useless considering most people have computers at their homes.

[James @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:50PM]

35 bucks a month seems a bit steep, that's almost as much as I pay for my cell phone. The only home phone I have anymore is a magic jack, it's certainly not without flaws, and all the commercials and website for the product are dripping with infomercial sleaze, but it does work ok as a backup phone and is a lot cheaper.

[Gibson @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:54PM]

Industrial D FAIIIILLLLLLLLLILILILILILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

[palehorse @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:55PM]

It's too bad that this is not tied in with their fiber phone services (FIOS) as well... I don't have, nor do I want, Verizon mobile service; but, I -do- have FIOS and a Verizon landline.

Bottom line: this thing is useless for me, which is really too bad since I was actually looking forward to getting one.

Maybe I'll get lucky and they'll come out with a FIOS version...

[palehorse @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:57PM]

It's too bad that this is not tied in with their fiber phone services (FIOS) as well... I don't have, nor do I want, Verizon mobile service; but, I -do- have FIOS and a Verizon landline.

Bottom line: this thing is useless for me, which is really too bad since I was actually looking forward to getting one.

Maybe I'll get lucky and they'll come out with a FIOS version...

[palehorse @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:58PM]

I'm sorry for the DP... I will commence self-flagelation immediately.

[jabber @ Jan 23rd 2009 2:06PM]

DP? Self-flagellation? What's going on over there buddy?

[palehorse @ Jan 23rd 2009 5:44PM]

translation: "I'm sorry for the double post, I'll be over here whipping myself as punishment."

I promise I won't enjoy it...

[Jonny @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:58PM]

You know what I can't believe, is that the blogpost actually seems excited about this stupid piece of hardware that costs way too much. GET READY! OMG this is sooo lame. People have waaaay too much money if they are going to pay for this POS from Verizon.

[Amir @ Jan 23rd 2009 1:58PM]

This thing is really ridiculous, I wonder what features are locked out of it just like their cell phones.
No Thanks.

[ZombieRace @ Jan 23rd 2009 2:03PM]

The idea is totally phenomenal, and a really good direction for home/office telephones.

Verizon soiled it with their business model.

[crawdad689 @ Jan 23rd 2009 2:12PM]

$35/MONTH FAIL.

I do enjoy teh concept, though. Give me a third party accessory that has wi-fi and a 7" touchscreen w/ widgets, calendar support et al., bluetooth handset/headset, and automatically syncs w/ my cell phone, and can additionally make calles using VOIP. Monthly fee: $0 (after you account for monthly wi-fi, of course).

I just don't understand why the average consumer would want ANOTHER phone line/phone number. Obviously there are plenty of exceptions here, but most people would rather not have two voice mail accounts to check, etc... ESPECIALLY at $35/month! MAYBE I can see the extra fee, if there's truly an additional phone line added, but this shouldn't be a requirement.

This whole business with carriers tacking on extra fees PER DEVICE is bullshit. It should be on a per person/per household basis!!!

[Game_playa @ Jan 23rd 2009 2:17PM]

This is why T-mobile @ Home wins!!!
Its only 10 a month for UNLIMITED calls!!
Beats the shit out of this

[Serryl @ Jan 23rd 2009 2:18PM]

Like a lot of the other commentors, I'm confused about why Verizon wants to charge a monthly fee. Perhaps that price is for folks who don't already have a wireless contract with Verizon. That would make sense, since $35 per month is competitive with the price of other landline services (assuming that includes unlimted minutes).

I hope Verizon doesn't think existing cellphone customers will pay an additional $35 for a service they already have. If so, they may be mistaken; contract-free alternatives to HUB currently exist. GE, for example, makes a line of handsets that can answer your cellphone calls.

http://www.home-electronics.net/ge/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=19

No they don't offer fancy touchscreens, but the basic handset functionality is there.