Verizon Hub Phone gets really real, really
First uncovered well over a year ago, the “Verizon Hub” is finally going to see the light of day. Talk of the Hub, Hub Phone, Ultra-deskphone or whatever else you want to call it, was revived earlier this week when accessories began popping up on the Verizon website. Lo and behold, Big Red has made it official with a press release. So, umm, what is it?
…a new touch screen home phone system designed to replace old-style home phones with a souped-up home communications system, bridging wireline and wireless connectivity in one simple service, that runs on any broadband connection – whether supplied by Verizon FiOS Internet or DSL or any other high-speed service provider.
Well then. Mike Lanman, VP and CMO at Verizon Wireless goes on to say, “The Verizon Hub is going to change the way you think about what you want and need your home phone to do. Whether you’re thinking about getting rid of your home phone or can’t live without it, now is the time to try out the Verizon Hub.” The Verizon Hub will make use of the generously sized touchscreen in a variety of ways – weather info, a variety of calendar and time management functions, movie previews, ticket purchasing and so on. As for pricing, you’re looking at $200 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a monthly $35 subscription that includes unlimited US calling and messaging. The Verizon Hub is set to become available on February 1 – any takers?
You can get DSL from Verizon without requiring home phone service. It makes the DSL cost a few dollars more per month but you can do it.
I saw a video demo of this hub in action and man this thing is impressive.
For those of you that haven’t seen all of the robust features on this device, you need to check them out. There are a lot of comments about being able to have the hub number ring on your cell phone. Well, you can! With simultaneous ring you can set the hub to ring on up to 3 cell phones simultaneously. Whichever line picks up first, wins!
As for the cost, I currently only have cell phones for my family; no landline. I will be able to change my calling plan down and save $20. That makes my net cost per month only $15 more than what I already pay and I get so many more features. I ordered mine today!
Just saw this in action at the Verizon store today. Looks and works great! It may not impress the younger generation who has no land line and would expect a lot more in a small device, but there are plenty of us middle agers who need the land line and the price is competitive if I add in the local, in state and out of state calls, fees, etc.
Might have to make the leap.
You would need to be a) A Verizon Wireless customer and b) Subscribe for 2 years o the Verizon VoIP servers @ $34.95 per month.
My husband brought the Hub home for me to try and he was very excited and he thought I would love this phone. I do love to be computerized but there are way too many flaws for me to transfer over my home phone and use this as my only phone. The handsets are too small and there are no clips. The ringtones are poor and you can not upload new ones. The sound is way too quiet. I have made various calls that have not gone through on my end but have been received by the other caller. I am a working mother and I don’t have the time to rewrite all of my contacts into the base and to rewrite all of my calendar events. If Verizon makes it that the blackberry and outlook can be synchronized then it would take out a cumbersome step. I am going to have my husband return this phone and wait until changes have been made and that the price of the monthly services is cheaper.
This phone doesn’t even do VIDEO! I already have all those other features on my computer and cell phone. I like the ACN Videophone where you can actually interact with the person face to face real-time. It’s awesome at half the price.
I love the features and was excited to have the hub until Verizon told me they cannot transfer my AT&T number over to this phone. Imagine the pain of having to communicate a new home phone number! The worst part is that no one at Verizon can, or will, tell me why they cannot transfer the number.
i don’t understand this phone, if I have united states cellular, can I still use this phone?
Go to the website and check out their vague pricing, Do you think all of thoes features are really included for one low monthly payment? I think not! Verizon is notorious for suckering you into their infamous 2 year contract only to realize that you just got screwed. Half of the features will undoubtedly be a la carte, just like every other cell phone provider… Luke, beware the dark side!
um, $35 a month is only $3 more than your current bill… the $200 after $50 mail in rebate is to buy the phone genius.
Oh and Also… I own an Iphone, wish has hundreds of applications, why do I wana use my house phone to check on a restaurant or to sent a Text Message? We can send Text messages using our phone and even our computer…
The next generation of home phone is Video Call, or some type of video conference… Even that we can see each other thru the computer, It will be awsome if we can call someone using a home phone or cell phone and get to see them live.
I agree I already pay verizon 200 dollars a month for multiple cell phones w/ unlimited text and high speed internet why pay them twice?? Just not for me I guess
I keep a phone with a cord on it in case of a black out. It is the only phone that I can use if the power goes out.
You can drop their service.. Have them put in a Dry loop internet service then disconnect your old land line… You will have to pay with a credit card, but you can Definetly untether yoruself from them!
This does not even compete with the Video Phone by ACN. The verizon Hub is just providing information that is at your fingertips on any computer.
The TV ad shows an older lady communicating on it to her young daughter who is using a cell phone. Maybe that’s their intended audience. My mom has an iPhone, but is very intimidated by computers. Even this phone would confuse her, but she is probably the category of intended appeal.
Not interested in buying any new phone. All I want is a real human being to TT about a charge on my bill. Appreciate a phone number if you please.
So, why do I have to pay a monthly charge, if I already have FIOS NET, FIOS TV and landline witht the unlimited? I pay for these, can’t Verizon just make a cool phone I can just plug into?
I got the Hub a couple of weeks ago. It takes two weeks to get your land line number change. After the wait, I have had nothing but problems with it. I have spent over 15 hours on my cell phone with tech service, becouse you can not call from the Hub phone. Tech service was no help, passing the buck. They are not ready to support it. I’m almost ready to return it. Very unhapply
The Hub Phone is long overdue. It is not as original as you might think since similar functionality had been proposed for a wave of smart VOIP desktop phones. If done right, then it should be a big hit. The big question is, ‘Did Verizon do it right?’
To be successful this phone should be a preferred alternative to a desktop browser. Faster because the browser code is in flash memory and is being run by a small and fast kernel. Familiar because it has adopted the primary controls of the browser. Fun because it supports video and sound. Much more but you get the picture. By the way, ask yourselves how many families cannot afford a computer but can afford a hub phone. Did I mention Advertising Revenue?
this phone looks really cool. i wou;d really like to own one
Well dont dream of FIOS to long as the HUB can only be purchased with Verizon Wireless. That makes sence. I have FIOS and even though it is a VOIP phone Verizon choose to market it through their wireless division. Idiots, So according to Open Peak, the makers of the HUB there will be other carriers buying their products in the upcoming year. Here is the makers site. http://www.openpeak.com/OpenFrame2.php
So did you purchase the HUB? I’m wondering if its worth the selling price….
I was told by Verizon Rep. that you can infact transfer the home number to the HUB. Have you confirmed different?