Verizon Hub hands-on and impressions
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted January 30th 2009 1:03PM
posted January 30th 2009 1:03PM
The Hub is really a half-netbook, and underneath its black exterior it houses a 500MHz CPU, 128MB of RAM, 128MB of flash storage, 802.11b/g, and runs atop a custom build of Linux 2.6.16. Don't let that fool you though, there's no real broad functionality to be found here. Mostly, the system chugs along running widgets (for weather, voicemail, timekeeping), directory and navigation services, and the occasional movie trailer. It seems obvious for a device like this to do video chat -- but you're out of luck. There's no camera here or app for doing any kind of webcaming, though reps for the company say they're looking at other uses, and the two USB ports could certainly be employed for peripherals.
What's nice about the box is that it plugs in to a bunch of services you're probably used to using on your cellphone. It incorporates a Google Maps-like service for locating restaurants, shops, and other assorted consumer activities, and is able to send directions to your Verizon handheld (provided it has VZ Navigator on board). If you want to find a movie, it's simple to tap out a few letters, do some location-searches, watch trailers (as mentioned, a nice touch), and buy tickets right from the Hub.
For a device you might throw in the kitchen, it's got a group of features that would come in handy if you're not near a laptop (or you don't have a reasonably stacked smartphone). The strange thing is, the Hub isn't really being targeted at people who have landlines. In order to actually get the device, you have to be a Verizon Wireless user, and adding the Hub is kind of like adding another line. Except not, because it doesn't use Verizon's wireless network at all, and it's not doing any cool, location-aware stuff, like taking your cellphone calls once you're home. Essentially, it's a VOIP box being offered to... people who don't already have a phone at home. We find the whole thing a little strange -- it seems obvious that you would target something like this to people who are used to having a phone in their house, but you can't get one even if you want one.
At the end of the day, the Hub certainly serves a purpose, but between netbooks, smartphones, and the broad proliferation of just plain old laptops these days, it might have a tough time finding a spot in the market. The unit launches this Sunday and will be priced at $249 (less a $50 mail-in rebate) with a $34.99 monthly service fee. We won't make our final call till we've had some real quality time with the device -- we should be getting a unit for a full-on road test and review, so stay tuned.
I, actually, am a cellphone user that has no landline in my house. My Cellphone has been my one, and only, phone. And I would actually like to have a second line, as my Sprint cellphone as proved unreliable from time to time. This even sounds a bit more useful and convenient the using a Skype phone. Too bad you have to be an existing Verizon customer. That's one less customer they could have had. I've be quite interested in this since I first heard about it. Why are US cellphone companies so Stupid/Monopolistic/Corrupt?
I have Verizon but poor cell coverage at home and I want to dump AT&T but don't want TWC phone. I was looking to just have my cell account handle everything.
So this seemed cool but I have no idea what the hell it's supposed to be doing or what's going on with the price!
I first thought it was a $250 unit that extended the cell coverage of your handest over VOIP but that would just use your existing phone plan after the unit cost. Now it's $35 on top of your cell plan and you can't use it to receive calls to your cell?
Yeah good luck marketing this one Verizon. I've been reading about it in advance and I'm confused already.
VZW has their "Wireless Network Extender" for $250 and $0 monthly that will do what you are looking for.
Creates basically a mini-cell-tower for up to 3 phones at once (the 4th 'line' is for E911 only)
http://www.verizonwireless.com/networkextender
I don't understand why this has a phone on it.
If you have to already be a Verizon Wireless customer, then you already have a cell phone with them. What's wrong with just using that cell phone? Then if there are a lot of people in the family they all have their own phones and contacts and rings and everything without any magic.
Sure its nice not to have to depend on cell coverage when you're home, and you could certainly do with better call quality. That's why everybody else is planning to offer femtocell products, which your cell phones would see as a cell tower, but would be connected via VOIP over your broadband. Kinda like T-Mobiles Hot-Spot-At-Home service but without the need for special Wifi handsets. That's the right model here.
Want to build a touchscreen in that can do some Chumby stuff too? Cool. Monthly fee? Sure, but $10/month should do it, these people are already your customers. And you're making them buy the damn base station.
And if you're going to try and solve the group schedule thing, I wish you luck. I suspect this will be as successful as the Audrey from Palm/US Robotics/3Com was, but who knows, maybe you guys really know what you're doing. I didn't see anything Pre-like about integrating your existing web-based schedules into this thing though...
having a phone in the unit I thought was great. It's always charged so you can take cell calls when your actual cell is being charged for full battery strength when you are on the move.
But if the unit can't intercept and receive calls to your cell then eh, why?
It's basically a landline phone for people who choose not to use their cell phone at home. The only difference from any other service is that it has widgets and your phone bill goes to Verizon.
This looks really cool to a tech nerd like myself. I could quite possibly seeing myself purchase this when I move into my own place this summer!
This would seem like an awesome idea of a redux of the pay phone. You could create an account, log-in, and have instant access to your contacts, voice-mail, and whatever. You could slide in some cash or a credit card into a slot to keep up with a plan, or pay per use. Just about everything except the cordless phone - You could just directly talk to the screen, and maybe have a video call.
Looks great, now only if Verizon would come to Los Angeles and release me (us) from the dreaded and worst-in-the-world ISP AT&T High Speed (add Time Warner and the lovelies from Comcast to that list as well)
www.AtomicSub.net
Why?
$199! Isn't this too much?
If they want to stay as the provider with the best network, how about hooking this thing into the web, to add cell coverage for me and my neighbors. That is a problem, seeking a solution! T-mobile does it already with just their phone, why not just make all the neighbors share the benefit of one person buying the hub and connecting it to the web. Can I be the next VZW CEO?
I'd say wait for the second genaration comes out, Verizon always has an Ace up its sleeve. They will eventually come out with a video calling hub but this is just a trial. lol i was thinking about since I already use a VOIP system. Anywho, just wait it out or hate it. lol
Dude, Verizon NEVER has a trick up its sleeve. I left them for AT&T a while ago and I couldn't be happier. Their services are overpriced, their devices ill-conceived and their willingness to please a customer, non-existent.
This device is just further proof that Verizon will never release a device filled with good ideas.
Not very portable is it? And paying them for something that should be free? No thanks.
Be careful of Verizon's promises. As a Senior citizen and long time Verizon customer. all I can say is Verizon does not respect long time customers. My kids are trying to get me to subscribe to Vonage and a pay-as-you-go cell phone service (Virgin).
Well I called Verizon to see if I could work out anything with them. No go.
1) Still under contract for wireless and I could not get their plan without paying early termination fee. (Family Share Plan)
2) Have Verizon Fios bundle Plan (HD, Internet, Freedom essentials). If I were to even drop my landline service down one notch...no caller ID, no call waiting, no voice mail...for $5.00 less, Verizon would remove my bundle discount and I would be paying more for everything.
So, I will live out my contract and rethink my allegiance to Verizon. Loyalty works both ways, but Verizon doesn't think so.
The told me the HUB was reasonably priced for everything I would gain from the system. I DON'T THINK SO.
So BE WARY OF VERIZON BEARING PROMISES!!!
Well, I bought one! (for my insurance office).... What I've found is the ability to have a more 'local' number, but also FREE incoming calls from all Verizon(Alltel(?)) callers(LIKE A 800 NUMBER)! Also, the SIMULTANEOUS Ring option is excellent since I want my office calls to ring any phone I assign to it, such as my cell phone, so I never miss a call, no matter where I do business! VISUAL VOICEMAIL is also a Big Deal here, since I can't always catch my call if a customer is sitting in front of my when the HUB rings.(though, I would like to see Verizon add the ability to 'voice mail' back a caller, rather than the only other options of calling, or texting. For home use, I like the ability to add other HandSets so that you can have the ability to pick up a call in several different places, upstairs bedroom, kitchen, office, etc. I would like to see Verizon integrate your cell phone contacts with the HUB- currently you must enter all contacts yourself, or save them when a call comes in. All in all, this device may be a Great solution for a great many homes and small offices. Cudos for giving us such an excellent option to the standard landline, or other VOIP carriers, Verizon!
This honestly doesn't make much sense, it is expensive and cannot be integrated with anything useful and new, it is a concept compared to T-Mobile's "@Home" service, which is a GSM over Wi-Fi technology; except any T-Mo phone or PDA like a BB, can work over their technology, while providing full coverage on your mobile device, and is not $35/month but $10 instead.
VZW get enough of my $$$.
There should be a Gigahertz Model, with including 2G Flash Disk. All the 3G Service Providers need to "Get-on-the-ball" and add "XM/Sirius" to all their Package Deals for way low cost also, that would bolster the Auto industry for low and almost free subscriptions for the vehicles.
rather send sms in my cell. and use my gps in the car not at home. check the videophone technology at www.acnprimetime.com, it has more value to your homephone, digital photo frame, videomessages, etc easy to use (plug in and go!) and compatible to any broadband internet.
We bought one 4-18-09. After 1 week of trying to get it to work we returned it. It wouldn't keep its signal even from about 15 feet away from the router. We were promised we could keep out home telephone number - found out after purchase that we couldn't (had the same home number for 35 years). While setting up the unit it must go through 12 check list items - after the first 2 it lost signal and shut down. Then when it was rebooted - started going through the check lists again it got to #11 and then magically lost signal and shut down again - had to start over from the start. This happened in our home - only 1500 square feet - barely 15 feet from the office at our home where our main computer is located and our wireless router. Then when we did get it up and working we found that the closest traffic we could get was 2 states away. Yes - states. We are in N.C. - closest traffic info was Atlanta, GA. I have elderly parents and cannot risk them not being able to reach me in an emergency. We tried to return the unit to our local Verizon store only to find they did not have enough "cash" to refund our $266.00. They asked us to return later when they may or may not have enough cash on hand. We had paid cash for the unit originally. I'll give them credit though, they did bring out two store managers to try to discourage us from returning the unit. They told us that if we bought their router it would work - another $70.00. No way - I like our Verizon cell phones but do not care one bit for this new invention called the Hub.