The tag line for the Verizon Wireless Hub is "Welcome to the Home Phone Reinvented." This struck as funny coming from a wireless carrier and, at the same time, quite an interesting statement coming from one of the largest landline carriers in the country. Yes, Verizon Wireless is a separate company partially owned by Vodafone, but Verizon Communication is the majority owner. What is the Verizon Hub? It is a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) desktop touch screen smartphone which integrates with Verizon Wireless’ cellular phones via text and multimedia messaging. The question that I have is whether it is a cell phone for the home or a home phone that acts as a cell phone. Let’s take the Hub for a spin and find out!
INTRODUCTION
The Hub is VoIP desktop touch screen smartphone which is custom designed by OPENPEAK for Verizon. The Hub runs OPENPEAK’s OpenFrame operating system which is based on Linux. The Hub’s technical specifications include:
WHAT’S HOT
- A 500 MHz Dual MicroPro processor
- 128 MB of RAM for storage
- 2 MB reserved for ring tones
- a 10 / 100 Ethernet Port
- 802.11 b/g wireless support
- Support for FLV, Sorenson On2, MPEG-4, and MP4 video formats
– - Support for MP3, and ADC audio formats
- A full duplex speaker phone
- Support for up to 4 1.9GHZ wireless handsets
- A 7" WVGA LCD with 16-bit color 800 x 480 resolution touch screen
The Verizon Hub comes with everything you need to get started. The only requirement is that you have a broadband connection and a router.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
(all images link to higher resolution)
The Verizon Hub includes the base station with LCD screen, a 110 volt power adapter, a stylus, one 1.9GHZ wireless handset, a CAT 5e cable, and a manuals.
The unboxing.
The Verizon Hub is a very sleek desktop phone system.
THE DEVICE
The Verizon Hub base station and handset.The base station’s speakerphone sound quality is outstanding.
This is the side of the Verizon Hub. I find the stand to be a little big; an extended base would have been better solution. A USB port and a headset jack adorn the right side of the unit. The USB port is currently not active, but Verizon has plans to use it in the future (think headset, camera, cell phone, etc…).
The back of the Verizon Hub with the OPENPEAK label. On the left another USB port, we see the 10/100 Ethernet jack, and the power supply jack.
Here is the Verizon Hub wireless handset stacked on top of a Verizon Samsung i760, a Verizon Samsung Omnia i910, and an Apple iPhone 3G. The size is definitely within the bounds of a cellular smartphone, unfortunately the handset does not have the functionality of the base unit.
The 1.9GHZ wireless handset specially designed not to interfere with your wireless WiFi network.
The back of the wireless handset with a speaker at the top for handsfree talking. The handset’s speaker sound quality is good but not as good as the base station.
The left hand side of the wireless handset with the volume up/down toggle.
The front right hand side of the wireless handset with the headset jack.
The Verizon Hub is described in the OPENPEAK press release as “…a ‘fourth screen’ for accessing information and media services, combining the best features of the telephone, TV, PC and cell phone into an easy-to-use communications center.” The Verizon Hub is in fact a smartphone for the home which integrates with Verizon Wireless’ web site and cell phones.
Software
Part one of the overview of applications included with the Verizon Hub.
The second part of my overview of applications available on the Verizon Hub.
The Verizon Hub companion web site with links to messaging, contacts, photos, and calendar; all synchronized to your hub. All changes are automatically synchronized on the Hub.
The Verizon Hub calendar feature allow you to invite other Verizon Wireless customers to an event.
The Verizon Hub relay feature allows you to create message threads for Verizon Wireless customers you identify as your relay members. When a relay member sends you a text or multimedia message, you also receive on you Verizon Wireless cellular device. The Verizon Hub has lot to offer as a phone, 411 search engine, and messaging capabilities. The picture frame, internet radio, and V Cast features work well. Now it is up to Verizon to take it to the next level. Flip to the next page where we’ll talk Pros and Cons!
BUGS AND WISHES
- Browser
- Calendar integration with Gmail and/or Exchange
- YouTube application
- Sirius/XM integration
- Sling Player
- and the list could go on…
It is clear OPENPEAK sees the potential in application with the App Shop stub on their web site. From my discussions with Verizon they are clearly trying to understand what the consumer is looking for. Since this is their first foray into the home, stay tuned for many improvements.
PURCHASING
PROS
- An innovative home phone system
- Seven inch touch screen
- VZ Navigator integration
- Visual Voicemail
CONS
Can only message to Verizon Wireless customers
No browser
Limited number of applications
| Value |  |
| Ease of Use |
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| Features |  |
Overall |
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OVERALL IMPRESSION
On the phone side the quality of the calls I have made over the last couple of weeks using my Verizon FIOS broadband connection have been outstanding, and matches my Verizon FIOS land line in terms of voice quality. The speaker phone quality is as good as any business phone I have used. In the end I don’t think this phone was designed with Geeks in mind, although the technology is there, the level of sophistication in the software is not. The advertising in glossy magazine and Sunday fliers, as well traditional media web sites is clearly targeted at families who are already Verizon Wireless customers. Especially where children are heavy text messaging users. For those families who want to keep a home phone and are Verizon Wireless customers, then this device is clearly worth looking at.
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