Yesterday @DaveMichels posted a tweet about Android-based cordless land line phone from a company called Binatone (Just binatonetelecom.com goes to a "Under Construction" page; they need to fix it.). He links to a story on the new device. That story is skimpy on details but very categorical in some of its statements. Unfortunately, I was not able to locate the original press release from the company. But they have a web page describing the product and they have also posted the Users Guide. The following is my analysis based on the information I have so far.
The new device is called iDect iHome Phone. As the name suggests it is a DECT cordless phone, but the handset runs on Android. This is the reason for all the excitement. But Binatone does not specify the version, though the speculation is that it is based on Android 1.6. The handset has 2.8” (320x240) touchscreen. But interestingly the phone comes with a stylus pen; it also has the four sided navigation key. Not sure why they would have these multiple user input mechanisms. The user manual describes tap, tap and hold, slide, drag and flick gestures, but no pinch. Apparently the screen is not multi-touch enabled.
Regarding phone capabilities, it uses DECT radio to connect to the PSTN. It provides call waiting caller ID, a Contact list (300 max), call log (50), redial (30 numbers) and answering machine (14 mins).
The handset also has wi-fi radio and is used to go on internet with the help of a built-in browser. It is also an MP3 player. It is not clear whether it has other functions usually found in Android phones like voice based searching.
Overall it looks like a capable device for home use. But it really looks like they have slapped two functions - phone and web browsing - together instead of fully integrating them. For example, they could have offset the 14 minute limit for voice mail, by the device could email new messages. Binatone could have opted to offer an associated web service where users can store contact list, full log from which calls can be originated from the browser.
Most of the reviewers show off their geekiness by making the obligatory point that not very many people use wireline anymore. Neither these reviewers nor the company is pointing out that one can run a VoIP client on the handset and use the wi-fi connection to make VoIP calls. Of course it is not as simple as just installing a VoIP client. The UIs of VoIP client and PSTN must be integrated so that the user experience is superb.
Some reviewers also state that Android Marketplace will not be available in this device. But the user manual clearly states that it will be available.
The bottom line is that this is a capable hardware device which can benefit from some product architecting and also some market positioning from a person like Andy Abramson. It is also worth comparing this device and its cost (~$140) to AT&T Home Phone, VZW Hub and BT Home Hub.
But one thing is for sure. As devices of this kind become more widely available, more applications will be available all running on the end devices without requiring service providers.
Posted by aswath at November 7, 2010 07:12 PM