It's becoming quite clear that the homes of the future (well, in three to five years, to be more precise) will be feature-integrated, all-in-one automation and communication systems, which will allow users to control pretty much every feature from a centralized hub. It seems that Verizon is quite aware of this evolutionary direction, and for this reason, it has launched the Verizon Hub, a system that combines Wi-Fi, Internet, landline and mobile communication systems into a single device capable of performing a huge array of tasks.

At first sight, the Verizon Hub is not exactly very impressive, as it's formed of a 7-inch touchscreen display (delivering an 800 x 480 pixel resolution), accompanied by a cordless home phone. However, this apparently simple setup is capable of carrying out a very complex array of tasks, most of which are enabled by the Internet connection (either from Verizon itself or other providers).

Hence, users will be able to access a wide array of online content, such as calendar, traffic information, weather information, directory inquiries, etc. Plus, users will be able to view videos streamed over the Internet, listen to music and view photos stored onto their e-mail accounts or photo-sharing websites.

Additionally, the Verizon Hub sports a full-screen calculator, supports intercom and handset paging, offers a variety of screensavers and custom slideshows for customizing when the base is in an idle state, wallpapers, plus time and date showed on the home screen with a shortcut to the calendar. The hub shows users call logs to view missed, incoming and outgoing calls, allows them to look up contact information with reverse number lookup, provides call control for managing popular calling features and settings, as well as a message status system to get alerts for new calls, voicemails and messages.

Another important function provided by the Verizon Hub is the complete and seamless integration with Verizon Wireless cellphones, including direct photo message display, locating family using the Chaperone service, and exchanging GPS locations and directions with VZ Navigator phones. Moreover, users can synch contacts and calendars via the hub on all the mobile phones registered on the hub.

The Verizon Hub sells for around 200 US dollars, but it's very likely that, provided you go for some Verizon subscription plan, you might get it for a lot less.


We are just a few, but there are many of you, Softpedia users, out there. That's why we thought it would be a good idea to create an email address for you to help us a little in finding gadgets we missed. Interesting links are bound to be posted with recognition going mainly to those who submit. The address is .