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The OpenFrame Home Phone iPhone Clone
Posted by Sean Fallon at 6:00 AM on August 22, 2008
The team at OpenPeak is hoping to spice up the outdated landline phone by "borrowing" the entire iPhone concept and repackaging it as a feature-rich communication hub for the home. Initially, the "OpenFrame" will include core touchscreen apps like calendar, news, weather, etc., and it doubles as a digital photo frame and an internet radio. Beyond that, the idea is to get developers interested in creating third party apps--just like the iPhone. The device is expected to be sold through telcos like Verizon and AT&T for between US$200 and US$300 sometime in early 2009, but I say just pick up an iPhone and stop wasting money on landlines altogether. [OpenPeak via Wired Gadget Lab]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
daveNYC
Posted 7:27 AM 22/8/08
Just make sure to slap an IR port on this and you can have a super remote too. Change the frame into a plug in charging station.
daveNYC
JEmlay
Posted 7:22 AM 22/8/08
This is kewl, something to finaly compete with the Verizon One Service. I moved and lost Verizon, now I'm ATT :( I really miss having that service. I would buy this in a heart beat!
JEmlay
Kaiser-Machead's WALL-E fetish
Posted 6:48 AM 22/8/08
@mildretard: Rounded corners are meaningless. Diagonal horizon reflection lines are where it's at.
Kaiser-Machead's WALL-E fetish
RE-L
Posted 6:43 AM 22/8/08
My first thought was, skype meets chumby...
RE-L
wenderson
Posted 6:42 AM 22/8/08
Actually, I like the idea of a photo frame that works like a phone, accesses the web and controls my other devices.
wenderson
chuchi78
Posted 6:34 AM 22/8/08
I can see the point in this, but hopefully the hardware and software will all be there. True, nobody cares much for having a landline these days, but I'm sick of having my phone bound to me at home. If they can get this thing to somehow use your cell's minutes (via bluetooth, maybe?) and send/receive SMS, MMS, email and my cell's contacts, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. I'd just really like to replace my cordless phones and use it to get my stuff anywhere in my house.
chuchi78
mildretard
Posted 6:22 AM 22/8/08
Does it have shiny icons with rounded corners? Who do I make the check out to?
mildretard
mcjake
Posted 6:15 AM 22/8/08
What the world really needs is a mobile way to connect to the internet using a home's wireless network! Yeah No one has been able to create one of those yet!
mcjake
Naoki - Photoshop Ninja
Posted 6:12 AM 22/8/08
I like the original GUI, very creative
Naoki - Photoshop Ninja
Kaiser-Machead's WALL-E fetish
Posted 6:11 AM 22/8/08
I can see the appeal if all you really want for mobile use is a small simple cell phone with a cheaper voice-only plan. Not everyone wants an iPhone (holy shit the walls are caving in!)
Kaiser-Machead's WALL-E fetish
Kaiser-Machead's WALL-E fetish
Posted 6:10 AM 22/8/08
@Sora57: Oh, well nevermind then.
Kaiser-Machead's WALL-E fetish
Hectorvex
Posted 6:10 AM 22/8/08
So it's like the iPhone but you can't take it with you. Ok...
Hectorvex
Sora57
Posted 6:08 AM 22/8/08
It's VoIP
Sora57
Kaiser-Machead's WALL-E fetish
Posted 6:06 AM 22/8/08
Aaaaaand what about Skype?
Kaiser-Machead's WALL-E fetish
europria
Posted 7:50 AM 22/8/08
It has promise however they call themselves OPEN but there is nothing mentioned about SDK or interoperability.
europria
mplsboywonder
Posted 7:36 AM 22/8/08
*
Interesting concept! I actually applaud company's that take old technologies and make them better. I think there are plenty of ways that could actually make this appealling especially if AT&T (for example) Made a @HOME hot spot for 15 dollars extra per month like T-mobile does and used it with integration with the iphone or other handsets! Interesting idea!
Adding Skype, IR, and charging stations are great ideas to go with it.
mplsboywonder
mplsboywonder
Posted 7:35 AM 22/8/08
Interesting concept! I actually applaud company's that take old technologies and make them better. I think there are plenty of ways that could actually make this appealling especially if AT&T (for example) Made a @HOME hot spot for 15 dollars extra per month like T-mobile does and used it with integration with the iphone or other handsets! Interesting idea!
mplsboywonder
justhesh
Posted 8:11 AM 22/8/08
"Home Phone iPhone Clone"
That's quite the alliteration, there. I've also heard that one mustn't be relegated to simply hone their cone alone.
justhesh
NagChampa
Posted 8:36 AM 22/8/08
I don't know, LAN lines are pretty useless to me as time goes on. I almost get annoyed at imagining actually owning one of these phones and then having to learn it's OS and various offerings. Yeah eff that.
NagChampa
CrashingOut
Posted 8:35 AM 22/8/08
I don't like the iphone, and its non-multitaskable(word?) interface, HOWEVER, I know a good gui when I see one, I just don't think a thing that powerful should operate that way. For a homephone however this is very aesthetically pleasing and probably simple to use
CrashingOut
Sora57
Posted 3:37 AM 23/8/08
@daveNYC: The link indicates there is a WiFI - IR bridge to control electronic devices.
Sora57
whitzend
Posted 4:39 AM 23/8/08
We will always have a landline phone. No cell pone or cell phone company has given us enough *bars* to talk on the phone whenever or where ever we want in our home. 4 of our neighbors use their cell phone for their main phone and have to talk outside all the time. We live in a large city, have all the cell phone companies available.I do like the look of it, but what would the monthly fee be?
whitzend