It’s always baffled us why landline DECT phones are so rubbish compared to mobiles, but looking to put the record straight is Binatone’s new Android-powered iHome Phone.
World’s first
Claimed to be the world’s first Android powered home phone, the iHomePhone is a DECT digital cordless phone running Android 1.6 and offering a handsfree speakerphone, call waiting ID and a 14 minute digital answer machine.
There’s a 2.8-inch, 320×240 pixel, touchscreen display onboard, plus Wi-Fi b/g/n and a microSD card slot for expansion.
Being Android powered means that you’ll get a fully fledged multimedia device packing YouTube, internet radio, widgets and RSS feeds, web browser, contacts manager, email client, picture viewer, MP3 player and a personal organiser.
Docking station
Battery life is listed at 8 hours talk-time, 80 hours for standby, and Binatone lob in a rather natty docking station with built-in stereo speakers.
We think this is a great idea – particularly being able to import all our contacts into a landline handset and keep a synchronised calendar on the thing. Shame it’s not running Android 2.1/2.2 though.
The Binatone iHomePhone is set to retail for £99.99 and should be ready in time to fit into Santa’s sack – unless Apple’s lawyers get into a tizzy about the name, of course.
Features:
- DECT digital cordless phone
- DECT CAT-iq 2.0
- Android Operating System
- Wi-Fi connection (802.11 b/g)
- 2.8″/ 7.1cm diagonal touchscreen (320 x 240 pixels)
- Auto-rotate landscape / portrait orientation
- Memory Card: Micro SD
- Internet Browser (HTML, WAP)
- Email client
- Widgets and RSS feeds (Weather, News, Sport, Finance)
- Internet Radio
- YouTube video player
- Music Player (MP3)
- Built-in stereo speakers in docking station
- Headphone connection on handset
- Picture Viewer (Jpeg)
- Contacts Manager (300 entries for phonebook and email)
- 14 minute digital answer machine
- Handsfree speakerphone
- Call waiting caller ID
- Logs your last 50 calls
- Last 30 number redial
- 20 Polyphonic ringtones
- Alarm/ Clock/ Calendar
- Up to 80 hours standby time
- Up to 8 hours talk time
- Answer machine
- Caller display
- Color display
[Binatone]
Ooh yes I want one of those. And surely we will be able to upgrade to the latest Android version…or no?
A very sexy bit of kit, IMHO
Yeah, and as an iPhone user I like the idea of getting to know my way around Android. Just to keep Mr Jobs on his toes…
But seriously, is there any reason why we can’t update it to the latest Android version. Or would we have to wait for Binatone to do it?
Got one of these yesterday – so far so good, speakers a bit tinny but pretty sexy nonetheless – browsing,mp3 ringtones and android – perfect – resistive touch screen not as good as capacitive but for the price its top notch!
Pete can you tell me where you got it from?
It’s not available yet as far as I can see:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Binatone-iHome-Phone-Android-Technology/dp/B004EBV1GI
Your’e right Pete, for the price tag the phone is really a pocket pleaser …and it fits in with my minimalistic decor. Love it!
@Pete
and can you update the Android OS?
not available on amazon but argos…
http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10001&catalogId=1500002701&langId=-1&searchTerms=ihome%20phone%20idect
I have just had this delivered by argos…have to wait for fifteen hours for first charge of battery
according to page 98 of the manual we will be able to upgrade the firmware…which I assume means the possibility of upgrading the Android OS…?
Anyway I have emailed their tech support to say “please..when?”
If you’d like to do the same you can email them on enquiries@binatone-support.co.uk
very rapid reply – nice one, good customer service Binatone
but sadly no joy on android upgrade…any updates will be to the firmware only I guess
“The unit uses Android 1.6. This cannot be upgrade due to the limitations of the chipset installed.”
for a hundred quid I am not too bothered..it is worth it to avoid having to type in all my contacts numbers alone – by emailing the phone some vcards…at least I guess that’s how I will do it
not impressed so far
the email reader cannot open VCF address cards so no easy way to get addresses into the phones contacts yet
it may be possible to get round this issue..but I’m not liking this phone much..dim display, slow and clunky.
save your pennies and wait for someone else to make a similar phone would be my advice