device's archive

Verizon Hub Web browsing VoIP Phone Gadget Coming

by VoIP & Gadgets Blog in January 20th, 2009

Topics: FiOS, Unified Communications, Verizon, Verizon Hub, Verizon One, VoIP, Wireless, browsing, device, femtocell, phone, video conferencing

Back in March 2007 I wrote about Verizon VoiceWing VoIP FiOS service with a brand new phone called Verizon One, sporting a touch-screen, stylus, Internet access, VoIP, and more. It’s pictured here:

Well, according to Boy Genius Report, it appears that a new product called the Verizon Hub deskphone is launching and is even in Verizon stores with a “do not open until further instructions order”. I looked at the Verizon Hub pictures and it looked identical to the Verizon One. One of my sources told me that the Verizon Hub is the same thing as the Verizon One, but apparently Verizon changed the name to the Verizon Hub deskphone. It’s possible it has additional features. Building in a femtocell into the device would be nice, to help extend and improve the range of your cell phone in poor coverage areas. My source wouldn’t confirm nor deny that it has femtocell capabilities.

As I previously wrote about the Verizon One/Hub, unfortunately, the Web browsing experience is tad limited, since you can only get specific Web content that Verizon has enabled. Some of the approved web content includes categories such as news, weather, and movie listings. But if you try and browse a site not listed, you’re out of luck. I even joked, “perhaps Verizon doesn’t want people going to Yahoo! Yellow Pages and bypassing Verizon’s 411 directory assistance at $1.75 a pop! (not sure exact figure). But I’m sure there plan is to find partners and advertisers for the Verizon One device. Still a neat little gadget even if they do “lock” down the browsing experience.”

The Verizon Hub (formerly Verizon One) will handle regular phone calls, but it was designed for VoIP. The cordless phone, which doesn’t look nearly as “cool” as the rest of the device, will work with Verizon’s upcoming VoiceWing VoIP service for FiOS. It also sports a touch screen with stylus and it will require a two-year contract at $29.99/month as seen by this Verizon Hub search.

Tags: femtocell, FiOS, Verizon, Verizon Hub, Verizon One, voip

Related Entries

AT&T U-Verse offering 1 Year FREE of DISH Network - May 04, 2007
Verizon VoiceWing VoIP FiOS service - Mar 02, 2007
AT&T Lightspeed ahead! (NOT!) - Mar 01, 2007
AT&T U-verse Doomed? - Feb 13, 2007
D2 Technologies Improves its vPort VoIP Software for Development of Next Generation WiMAX, Femtocell and Mobile Handsets/Devices - Jan 08, 2009
Motorola Femtocell Picture Frame Combines VoIP, Video, Bluetooth, Touchscreen and more - Sep 26, 2008
fring touchtone DTMF support - uh hello? - Aug 25, 2008
Verizon Boosts FiOS Internet Speed - Jun 19, 2008
P2P or ENUM Saves Vonage? - May 11, 2007
Vonage Patent Update - Apr 09, 2007

TrackBacks
| Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: Verizon Hub Web browsing VoIP Phone Gadget Coming

Click here to read more from device

Is There More to Netflix/Roku Than Meets the Eye?

by VoIP & Gadgets Blog in July 2nd, 2008

Topics: Forbes, LG, Microsoft, Netflix, PDAs & Handhelds, Roku, VentureBeat, Video Hardware & Software, Xbox 360, device, services

Blogged about the intriguing Netflix/Roku deal back on May 20, but now an interesting piece on VentureBeat makes it even more (and more!) interesting.

The new Roku box (doesn’t look like much, does it?) lets you stream any of Netflix’s 10,000+ “Watch Now” movies (movies that can be watched immediately over the internet for free with your subscription) to your TV set instantly. However, a new wrinkle may make the device even more attractive — with a simple software download, other services beyond Netflix will soon be able to use it, according to Forbes.

This changes the device from a nice little purchase (it’s only $99), into a potential Trojan horse for digital content in your living room. Of course, it entirely depends on what other services reach agreements to use the device. Roku would only say that other “big name” providers could bring their services to the device with a simple update.

At the same time, Netflix plans to release another box featuring its “Watch Now” service in conjunction with LG later this year. There’s also an intriguing rumor that the service could come to Microsoft’s Xbox 360.

Tags: Forbes, LG, Microsoft, Netflix, Roku, VentureBeat, Xbox 360

Related Entries