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]
posted Jan 23rd 2009 1:18PM
Pretty sweet, I may pick up one of these.
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.
My landline is my backup.
It sucks being out of comuniciation at home becuase your cell broke/was stolen/dinosaurs.
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.
they will be selling a femtocell beginning later this week. i heard some employees talking about it.
Yeah, people still have landlines. I only have it because it's required for my DSL. Ugh.
You need a landline for DSL? On Verizon you can do a dry loop. It costs all of $3 more.
i have to have one to buzz people into my apt...i never make calls from it though, kind of sucks
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.
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.
Time for an apt upgrade. My building forwards the intercom right to my cellphone. Just press 6 and the door unlocks.
@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.
@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.
thanks for all the replies, i have to get on this and see what i can do
Interesting...
I'm still waiting on some kind of unified solution for contacts/calendar etc.
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?
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-$10 baby monitor and put the phone next to it.
true.
save the 200$ +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.....???
Its about the same as Sprint charging a monthly fee for you to use their femtocell device. What a crock!
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.
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?
Verizon is basically selling you a VoIP phone with your cell phone's number.
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?"
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.
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...
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.
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.
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...
Is this the thing that is suppose to be like putting a cell phone tower in your house?
Slayerrrrrrrrr!
\m/
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.
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.
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
chumby phone plz
Why?
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.
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.
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.
Industrial D FAIIIILLLLLLLLLILILILILILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
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...
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...
I'm sorry for the DP... I will commence self-flagelation immediately.
DP? Self-flagellation? What's going on over there buddy?
translation: "I'm sorry for the double post, I'll be over here whipping myself as punishment."
I promise I won't enjoy it...
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.
This thing is really ridiculous, I wonder what features are locked out of it just like their cell phones.
No Thanks.
The idea is totally phenomenal, and a really good direction for home/office telephones.
Verizon soiled it with their business model.
$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!!!
This is why T-mobile @ Home wins!!!
Its only 10 a month for UNLIMITED calls!!
Beats the shit out of this
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.
IT'S A TRAP!
(Really, they lure you into getting rid of your landline so you can tack on another $250 device and a $35/month bill?)
I think this may be for areas where Verizon has a wireless presence but no Fios or landline services. It would be utterly useless otherwise.
Also, it's worth mentioning that there will always be a need for landline service. Those who live on their own will likely be fine with just their cell phone, but families and businesses will need a phone on the premises. Cellphones are personal devices and really aren't suited to be shared among multiple people.
Lower the price and add a fem2cell in it and it could be a winner.
I've got to agree with most here...
$35/mo? I only pay $30/mo for a real, fully loaded actual land line. My cell service in my house is very poor at best. My neighborhood is older with lots of large trees, etc. and makes for an almost dead zone. That's why I have a land line.
I haven't decided which industry is the crappiest; the Mobile industry, the Credit Card industry or the "Health" industry. Sorry, tangent thought.
If the interface is designed with the same attention to detail and user-centricity as verizon's online account interfaces... run, don't walk, away from this thing. User hostile is an understatement.
Drop the monthly fee and let it Bluetooth sync to multiple cell phones instead. Instant home phone service for the whole family. As for the other features? Put them in to an alarm clock for bedside use (like a chumby with a larger screen).
AT my office these would ROCK.
Our phones are already awesome, however these would probably allow voice chat (in the future), easy way of routing, and when someone makes a lot of calls - it's probably easier to see them on a phone rather than checking your computer all the time.
I actually work for a dsl provider and yes you can get what they call "dry loop" which is dsl without a dialtone....We actually don't charge anymore for it than we do regular dsl (unlike verizon & at&t which do)....we also provide dsl just about everywhere the big boys do....
They should pay you extra for creating a user name with your company's name. I mean, anyone can talk up their company on their personal account, but you went the extra mile. : )
No sarcasm.
Why pay $35/month more for things I can already do with the broadband connection that is required and already paid for? And with the $200 starter fee, you can buy a cheap netbook to set on your counter to accomplish the convenience.
I'm confused about what this is and what its used for????? Does it take your cell phone when ur near it? Does it extend Verizon coverage?
When the cell networks can survive a week-long power outage without significant loss of capacity, I'll think about dropping my landline. And if/when I do, I'm not gonna go buy a device that costs way more per month than the landline I just dropped.
just to let ya'll know. T-mobile offers a similar service just without all the bells and whistles as the hub phone. You can also set it up to work throughout the whole house with your existing phones that you have. And check this out, their service is only $10/month.
It's basically voip phone to replace your home phone.
Yeah funny thing is, I already have a hub that I take around with me everywhere I go. It's already killed our land line, which we only answer when we recognize the CallerID, and have not had long distance service on for about 10 years. Thanks Verizon, but I have what I need in my iPhone.
Can I make or receive cell calls from this unit? I have an AT&T blue toothed enabled home phone right now and I can be on one phone in a cell phone call and my wife can be on the extension handset on a land line call at the same time. pretty cool.
This looks a lot like the OpenPeak OpenFrame unit that was demoed a couple of years ago (http://www.informationappliance.com/?page_id=149). Anyone know if the two are related besides in their looks?
Hey i was looking forward for this but now it stinks
So this is like a skype phone with widgets, but you pay more for it since it uses Verizon's network? Thats a bit odd isnt it?
So all someone has to do is come up with a net-phone that bluetooth connects to your cell when its nearby and/or uses a skype number and has broadband access either through your cell data plan or wifi. A nice option would be an add-on camera for a desktop video-conferencing device...
But more devices is just more clutter anyway.
Yeah I saw this yesturday at VZwireless. There is a lot about this that isn't being described. It has a lot of add on (read some free or additional $) features like chaperone with gps. So you can track your kids on a map. Also you set it to do call forwarding. So if nobody answers the one phone for the house it then rings the up to 3 cell numbers for the household. Supposedly all the calendars would be combined on this one which would be nice. My wife always says that she has no clue what activities are planned for the day. You can also buy movie tickets, check the weather, and lots of other stuff. I like the idea because for $35 per month I"d have home phone and get a lot more out of it than i would with a standard landline that would probably cost more. I'm pretty sure that it also includes digital voice mail.I'm assuming that they would also eventually have extra handsets with batter bases for around the house.
i have the hub. it ended up being cheaper a month then my former landline service. it is really sweet. it does so much and it looks real cool too!
This is nothing more than Verizon's VOIP service. Does not work over their Wireless network.
This is outrageous!!! I have a video phone at home, that offers unlimited calling and I can see the people I talk to. I got it to see my husband who is in the military and friends I can't see often. I save so much on international and long distance calls and its such an amazing clarity. Beats anything out there even Vonage.
This VZ thingie is just another way for them to make money it offers nothing to us. If I want to text someone from home I can go to my Sprint website and type off my keyboard. My computer, laptop, tv, and cell all show my the weather why do I need another device to do the same...
I need a landline for my alarm system
This is a fail. Why do we need this?
Seems like the target audience for this is the less tech-savvy ppl out there who may not know all this about diff b/w VOIP, cheaper technologies for using mobile @ home, etc ....
What would you people do without cell phones? Why is it no one can function unless they have a cell phone glued to their ear 24/7 I know I am an old fart, but one of the wonderful things of life before cell phones was being to fall off the grid and have no one bother or know where I was, while out in my car. It's sad that people have become so helpless, and dependent on cell phones, unable to make a decision for ones self or go 1 hour without telling your BFF that you just past gas. Get rid of the umbilical for Gods sake and learn to think for yourselves. The phone companies monopoly was split up once already with the corded sevice, now they have successfully brain washed 98% of the 5yr to 30 yr crowd that they would die without their cells and are charging an arm and leg for services you could live without. The cell phone has allowed big brother to keep a bead on all of you all the time and you think it's your own choice, ever notice how easy they can overide the GPS locator in your phone when they want to even if you have it disabled, your all on leashes and enjoying it.
set yourselfs free from big brother and cut the umbilical for Gods sake you can go an our with out reporting in to your BFF that your have just passed gas
This is just stupid! I was looking forward to getting one of these. Then I call Verizon Wireless and find out that you need THEIR cell phone service, in order to use it? WTF?! My room mate had the Verizon One Wireless hub and didn't need cell phone service. Now, all of a sudden, they are doing this AND charging for it? $200 is to high and the $35 monthly fee is just to much. Like another poster said, I too, am trying to get not as many bills. This really isn't worth it, especially if they are giving you "monthly minutes", etc. How stupid is that?
Verizon Hub is offering a product to the HOME PHONE USER but negated to keep many wonderful features that this market is offers: INTERCOM SYSTEM and the opportunity to have MULTIPLE LINES ON A PHONE.
Their focus is on integrating the features of a cell phone to the HOME PHONE environment and what they forget is the HOME PHONE environment is for multiple users (families) in most cases.
NEED TO ADD TO GET OUR VOTE:
1) Intercom system, communicate among the phones... All Page "Dinner time!"
or Ring a room to pick up to deliver a message. We try to stop the yelling from room to room.
2) Multiple lines to be received by the HUB. So many of us work out of our homes or need 2 lines to ensure a business line is open. We don't want two HUBS in our kitchen to ensure both lines ring in our kitchen. We don't want to be carrying around our BUSINESS LINE HUB in the house to have access to it when it rings ... that is why we have cell phones. So make the HUB a HOME BASED PHONE and offer multiple lines on it to be received throughout the HOUSE!
IF YOU UPGRADE TO A FULL FEATURED HOME PHONE WITH THE ADDED "CELL PHONE" BENEFITS, THEN WE WOULD PURCHASE THIS NEW "HOME" PHONE PRODUCT!!!!