Telstra launches T-Hub home phone with cellphone features
updated 04:25 pm EDT, Wed April 14, 2010
Telstra to bring T-Hub touchscreen home phone
Australian carrier Telstra has introduced a new home phone, the T-Hub, that brings smartphone-like applications into the home. The device, equipped with a 7.1-inch touchscreen, lets users read and send text messages, view Internet sites, play music and tune in to online radio stations. There is also a built-in organizer and widgets that bring the latest news, sports and weather to the screen.
The base station has a speakerphone and a cordless handset lets users hold more private conversations. Its Wi-Fi radio will allow users to connect to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and MySpace while using BigPond search icons for news, sport, weather and entertainment. Callers can also look up numbers on directories from 1234 and the White or Yellow Pages. Family members can add dates or notes on the calendar, and there is an alarm clock and calculator built in. The hub can also be used as a digital photo frame or digital music player.
The T-Hub phone plugs into a standard home telephone socket and links to a BigPond's broadband over Wi-Fi.
The T-Hub will arrive in Australian T-life stores on April 20th and can be purchased as part of many plans, including the Home Bundle that costs the equivalent of $102 per month with a $33 activation and includes unlimited local calls, 12GB of data and a Home Network Gateway on a two-year contract.
