Well this is a bit different -- it looks as if the big M is looking to put a little Android (v1.6, if you must know) in the home with this DECT 6.0 phone. Though the device is made by Binatone, the Hong Kong-based company will be selling a $150 Motorola branded version of its cordless phone in the US come this summer. While this isn't the first time we've seen an
Android desk phone, this particular one packs WiFi so you can use the 2.8-inch touch display on its back to not only dial up mom, but also surf the web or check email. We did ask if you could make Skype calls on WiFi, but the app won't be preloaded and the phone won't have Marketplace support. That's not to say it doesn't have some intriguing tricks up its sleeve, though -- we were duly impressed with the speaker-equipped charging station, which enables it to blast out your favorite jams from the 70s while docked. It's no
Droid or
Devour, but it may not be a bad home calling option if you just can't cut ties with your landline. We've got some more pictures in the gallery below as well as some shots of Binatone's future Android tablet, so go on,
indulge.
posted March 3rd 2010 12:52PM
Why are huge bezzles so popular recently?
@BubblegumBalloon
because they don't want Apple to sue them for having a phone that resembles the iphone
@elijahblake Yeah, so they'll sue them for it looking like the iPad!
Why are people complaing so much about bezzles recently?
@elijahblake
wouldn't that make Apple more liable to sue?
@BubblegumBalloon
I'm pretty sure you all mean 'bezel'.
Just wait until Apple makes an iphone with a qwerty keyboard, and then sues other companies for making phones with qwerty keyboards.
then you'll have some company playing it super safe by making azerty or dvorak phones
@gmac because the HD2 made everyone see how pointless bezel's are...
@BubblegumBalloon Yes, there must be a surplus on glossy black plastic.
@elijahblake I never knew the iPhone was known fir its thin bezel.
@BubblegumBalloon You won't find Android 2.1 with this though, since it runs only on Android 1.6 while featuring a 2.8" touchscreen display with a virtual keypad and Wi-Fi connectivity. Unfortunately, there is no Marketplace support for the HS1001. More: http://bit.ly/motorola-hs1001-first-hand
home phones are just a big, MEH..
@JustThatNerdyGuy
Not really. If they made one with a better\bigger screen (3.7" minimum, 4" is good, with 16:10 or 16:9 AR), that had WiFi N along with a front facing video camera to make skype video calls, I'd grab it in a second. Android as the platform only makes it an even better offer....However, this one's design, crappy screen, and lack of a front facing camera is somewhat - lame. Actually, uber lame, considering the price!
@DoctarPeppar
you just described a computer... I bet you have one in your house already.
@JustThatNerdyGuy Ever heard of a home office? In case of an emergency cell phones loose connection home phones were meant to survive a nuclear war. remember Katrina, Hurricane Hugo Cell phone coverage denied!
An Android home phone? I might invest!
Smart Homephones.... Is this the start of something new?
@ChazClout
Forget about the landline. Just get an iPod Touch. Download many apps wirelessly. Prosper.
Quick Steve, fill another lawsuit and stop these thieves!!!
@PrezBO You're infringing on my patent on sarcastic comments. I'll see you in court Amigo!
Were there ever a "cord' android phone to begin with.
Pretty fugly. Now if it had a document cam and modem for faxing...
@seven5suited pretty ugly? more like "geez that's fugly as hell." even if it's just a prototype or a barely working unit, that thing is horrendous.
This device makes me strangely uncomfortable. What's the attraction of a communical casual browsing device built into your landline handset? Isn't that going to inconvenience everyone else in the household? If it's for your solo use, why not get a speaker dock for your existing smartphone? If you have cellular coverage issues or you need a landline number, the eventual arrival of proper Skype with wi-fi and SkypeIn will deal with that.
@sockatume
Not all of us run fancy smartphones with nice data plans. I run on prepaid for about $4/mo and the wife about $20/mo...and use Magicjack for home phone calls.
I'd consider getting one of these for a reasonable price if it had skype built in. Could be a pretty sweet home phone replacement. Maybe.
@greenmonkey : I don't expect it'll have a "reasonable price", really. It'll probably cost a good $150 or so at which point you might as well get a smartphone on your next contract (you needn't get a data plan if you have wi-fi at home) which will do more.
This idea didn't really work out too well for Verizon when they tried it, not sure it will work here.
What's a home phone?
A miserable little pile of secrets!
great now will be another reason for kids to tye up // lose the house phone haha...but intially is a great idea!
No Marketplace support? Fail.
Android + Home Phone?.....Skynet's reach expands...
Where's the rotary wheel? Dadgum whippersnappers! *breaks back*
I don't see the point of this. A landline phone for $150? Might as well buy a cellphone and have total wireless freedom. If I want to buy a landline phone, I want it cheap, not $100.
will this work as a wifi phone for vonage?? hmmm
Who has a land line ?
@Randy667
I do. It covers the nasty phonejack plate in my kitchen. It's not even plugged in, just for deco!
Seriously, my 75 year old father and his ilk still can't cut the cord. Personally, I see no reason whatsoever to have a landline, haven't for years.
After recieving a $45 bill a few years back, and noticed neither the wife or myself even used the homephone during the month, we ditched it. When we bought our current house, it never even entered my mind to get a landline. Just had to dig one out of a box to cover up that plate on the wall.
so, it's an android phone, with no marketplace support.
you lost me, motorola. you really lost me.
give this marketplace support and it will be the coolest landline phone ever though.
You can't make Skype calls on Android 1.6 right now as it is.
I've got that on my G1...
Skype app doesn't let you make VOIP calls, just messaging.
Fring will supposedly receive VOIP calls, but I installed it and found out that you can't make Skype calls outbound.
Kind of a bummer.
Do people still have land lines?
I "still" have a landline because I actually make PHONE CALLS without voice delay, dropped calls, and dropouts!
I have a smartphone too but the sound quality on all cell phones and VoIP (including Skype) sucks, PERIOD. There is an inherent delay in anything non-landline. Don't tell me "you don't notice it therefore it must not exist", measure for yourself and you will see it's 300ms on a cell-to-cell call. Try playing an online game against someone with a 300ms ping.
I would rather spend a little extra and have perfect call quality than try to save $45 a month.
I haven't had a landline in 3 years. I did use skype for a while, on my iphone when I was at home.
why not android market support..wonder if it could possibly have micro sd support...maybe it could possibly be rooted ;-)
no marketplace? then whats the fucking point?!
Unless we are talking about a "landline" wireless phone setup that syncs with your cellphone to basically extend your cellphone into like 3+ handsets so I don't have to go running for my phone. This thing is dead in the water. People that love android don't love landlines, and people that are so far behind they still love landlines don't even know/care what android is. Tisk Tisk Moto
No one seems to point out the killer part of this. Google Voice. What an excellent way to use it on your landline without having to go to your computer. I know there is no Market support, but you could find someplace else to buy it, right?
Excuse me, but why would anybody want to buy this? It's like a cell phone, except that you can't take it with you.
You can only use its advanced features at home even though that's where your PC is.