Verizon Hub News

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Verizon Hub News

verizon-hub.jpg As I wrote a few days ago, Verizon plans to launch the Verizon Hub. I just learned the Verizon Hub will launch February 1st. As I also was the first to point out, my source told me that the Verizon Hub is essentially the same thing as the Verizon One (created by OpenPeak), which I wrote about in March 2007. In my post from a few days ago, I wrote, "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."



The Verizon Hub is the evolution of the Verizon One. As part of that evolution, I hope they no longer restrict you to surfing specific websites. Or if they do have to limit it, I hope the list of allowed websites includes YouTube, Digg, Yahoo! + Mail, Gmail, Google, MSN, and Hotmail. The device sports a touch-screen interface for surfing, checking the weather & traffic, and more. It also allows users to make PSTN phone calls via its POTS connection (no VoIP ), access email, search the web, view a calendar, stream music from the web, and view photo images from a digital camera - essentially making it double as a digital photo frame when not in use.

Update: It is VoIP. I found some documentation that mentions attaching a 911 sticker to the phone (E-911 compliance laws) as well as how to hook up the device. It only mentions Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity - no mention of connecting a RJ11 wire to a wall jack. So obviously it is VoIP. My source says is it is VoIP using SIP on the backend.

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It sports a WiFi and an Ethernet connection, so I'm not sure why they didn't include VoIP support. At least make it work with Verizon VoiceWing, which is Verizon's VoIP broadband service. Though I have heard from another source that it will support VoIP. I'll get to the bottom of this and let you know. As mentioned in the above update, it does do VoIP. My source says they are leveraging SIP and he believes it is using VoiceWing, but needs to confirm.

It also has visual voice mail, an address book, and even audio directions which the Hub can send to Verizon Wireless phones.

I was hoping it might include a femtocell to improve signal bars in locations with a weak Verizon signal, but alas my sources tell me it won't include femtocell. It will however run on any broadband connection and features tight integration with Verizon Wireless services. It also can integrate with Verizon FiOS and let you control your FiOS TV service from this device.

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Update: 2:50pm Just to reiterate - it is VoIP. I found some documentation that mentions attaching a 911 sticker (E911 compliance laws)  to the phone as well as how to hook up the device. It only mentions Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity - no mention of connecting a RJ11 wire to a wall jack. So obviously it is VoIP. My source says is it is VoIP using SIP on the backend.

Price: $199.99 after $50 mail-in rebate. $34.99/month fee with unlimited calls anywhere in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Update: 1:58pm: Found some more info from a source
It appears that the Verizon Hub will have the ability to upload photos to http://verizonwireless/hub (currently unavailable). You will be able to port your existing number by calling 800-922-0204. The home screen widgets will give you quick access to Missed Calls, Voice Mail, Messages--Text, Picture and Video, Call Forwarding, and Time & Weather. You will also be able to view movie listings, showtimes, and even video trailers. Yup, the Verizon Hub supports video. You'll even be able to purchase movie tickets from the phone. It also supports Verizon V Cast, which enables you to watch popular video clips of news, sports, and more. It also sports a Chaperone feature that lets you track where your kids are via their cell phones.

Update 11:47am They just put this on the news wires. No mention of VoIP.

Verizon Wireless Reimagines the Home Phone

In a dynamic move sure to rattle devotees of plain old home phones, Verizon Wireless will introduce the new Verizon Hub on Feb. 1. Only Verizon Wireless can launch 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.

Innovative Verizon Hub Helps Manage Busy Lives and Helps Users Stay Connected to Family and Community

In a dynamic move sure to rattle devotees of plain old home phones, Verizon Wireless will introduce the new Verizon Hub on Feb. 1. Only Verizon Wireless can launch 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.

Families with active lifestyles and virtually anyone who wants to stay current and connected need a tool that helps manage their communications, contacts and calendars simply and smartly -- all from one easy screen. The Verizon Hub is poised to help pave the way for people to stay in touch and up to date with the information they need to navigate their increasingly busy days and nights.

"The Verizon Hub reinvents the home phone system that's been centered on your kitchen counter for years. We're bringing huge new functionality to a common household device that will unlock its true potential. And in the process, Verizon Wireless is updating the tools busy families can use to manage their lives," said Mike Lanman, vice president and chief marketing officer at Verizon Wireless. "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 uses your existing broadband connection, and it's quick to get it up and running. It will work with any open broadband connection from virtually any broadband provider -- telecommunications or cable -- anywhere in the United States.

Out of the box, the Verizon Hub will have all the calling features users expect from the most advanced home phones, plus visual voicemail and robust contact list management. Verizon Wireless has also added exciting messaging options, including text message calendar alerts and audible turn-by-turn directions delivered to Verizon Wireless phones from the Verizon Hub -- with just a few simple taps on the screen.

Information will be at a family's fingertips, literally from an easy-to-navigate touch screen with clear icons on the Verizon Hub. Families will start and end their days with nuggets of customized information from the Verizon Hub:

  • Check local traffic and weather in the morning before leaving the house
  • Update your calendar and automatically receive a text when an appointment changes or as a reminder not to be late
  • Get directions to the new site when the location for soccer practice is moved
  • Find the number of the new pizza parlor to order a pie
  • Preview the trailers from an upcoming movie that you might want to take the family to over the weekend, then purchase tickets using the Verizon Hub
Families on the go can access all the information and functionality of the Verizon Hub remotely from a companion Web site, even adding calendar entries for family members and inputting new contacts from the Web site. The home-based Verizon Hub is instantly updated.

Verizon Wireless customers who bring the Verizon Hub into their homes can connect to popular applications including VZ Navigator(SM) and Chaperone(R), as well as incorporate their wireless devices through text, picture and video messaging between wireless phones and the Verizon Hub. New and exciting V CAST content will also be available on the Verizon Hub, and when not in use, the Verizon Hub doubles as a digital picture frame displaying all of your favorite photos.

More details on the Verizon Hub, including pricing and service plans, will be available in the coming days. For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, please visit www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 83.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.


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