Recently Filed in Telephones

David Bohnett’s Los Angeles and New York City residences may stand thousands of miles apart, but they function as if they are one—at least when it comes to their ability to communicate. A sophisticated Panasonic phone system, combined with a Crestron automation system, tie the two homes together to create a powerful communications network that takes Bohnett’s business and personal life to a whole new level of efficiency. Should somebody press the door intercom button at the New York home while Bohnett and his partner… View this story
Home Control Systems • Telephones • Home of the Year Awards 2009 • Cool Homes

It never fails. As soon as I’m in bed, I remember all the things I should have done before I hit the sack. Things like checking the back door to make sure it’s locked, turning down the heat downstairs and shutting off the outdoor floodlights. It’s too bad I don’t have some sort of control device on my nightstand. That way, I could just lean over, press a few buttons and take care of whatever needs taken care of. Unfortunately, I’m like the cobbler’s wife.… View this story
Remote Controls • Touchpanels and Keypads • Telephones • Product News

Good communication is the foundation of any solid relationship. Unfortunately, in my household, the phones are making it not easier, but more difficult, to stay in touch. The problem: there’s no real system (i.e. good method) for handling incoming telephone calls. Upstairs in my home office my phone works alone; downstairs, the family phones take all the personal calls. Never do the two phones cross paths. I’d really like them to, though. It’d be so much more convenient to be able to pick up a… View this story
Telephones • VoIP • Info and Answers

Apple began selling the iPhone 3G S this morning at 2,200+ AT&T locations, 211 Apple Stores and seven other countries. One analyst says Apple may sell 500,000 iPhones this weekend. Seems like a lofty number, but it would be only half as many as the iPhone 3G did in its first week. The iPhone 3G went up for sale in 21 countries on the first day. There are minor changes to the outside of the iPhone 3G S, including an oil-resistant screen. Major overhauls have… View this story
Cell Phones • Internet • Telephones • WiFi • Product News

There must be a better use of 1500 pages of paper, right? That’s the approximate total of paper used in the three phone books recently delivered to my home. I got the Yellowbook, Talking Phone Book and what I think was another from Verizon. I can’t recall the official name because it went from step to trash in the matter of seconds. Who uses these things anymore? I can Google ten phone numbers in the time it takes me to find one in a phone… View this story
Telephones • Product News

Panasonic has integrated its digital phone system technology with Control4 automation. As a result, homeowners will be able to control every home system that can be controlled via a Control4 controller through certain Panasonic cordless phones. The beta testing is complete for the integration, which is part of Panasonic and Control4’s strategic relationship, and it should be rolled out in the next few weeks “or definitely by the end of April,” says Panasonic public relations rep Martha Whiteley. Panasonic showed an early version of the… View this story
Telephones • Home Control • Product News

It’s time to get a handle on your phone bills, you say? Xtreme Technology Corporation may have a solution that’ll put more dollars in your wallet. The company recently added a new feature to its Xlink device that gives users that ability to use regular home phones to make Skype calls. The Xconnect feature supports both Skype to Skype and Skype to home phone calls. As with previous Xlink devices, you can still use your home phones to make calls via your cell phone service.… View this story
Telephones • Product News

When it comes to your home telephone service, VoIP is the way to go. I’ve been living without a plain-old-telephone-service (POTS) for more than three years now, and I couldn’t be happier. If you’re looking to make the switch from your telephone provider to a VoIP system, here are seven reasons to push you forward. Manage Features Online Managing your phone service has never been easier. Having a Web-based management tool allows you to make changes to your account, turn features on and off, and… View this story
Telephones • VoIP • Info and Answers

Everyone has become dependent on the cell phone for communication. Now, Verizon Wireless wants to bring some fun and functionality back to the home phone market. The company just announced a new desktop phone, dubbed the Verizon Hub. Designed to work with any broadband provider, the unit pulls together calling, calendars, and address books into one fancy-schmancy touchscreen. As an added bonus, you can check on traffic and weather. That’s nice, but it seems like I can’t walk two feet without a way to check… View this story
Internet • Telephones • Networking • Product News

If you’re having trouble factoring both TV and web access into your budget, Verizon wants to help. The service provider just announced a few promotions for its triple- and double-play customers. The new promotion will feature high-speed web access, Verizon’s Freedom plan for unlimited calling, and DirecTV. Get all three for a low price of $80 a month for 12 months. If you need to shave a few bucks off, you can get two for $50. If you are just interested in the Internet, Verizon… View this story
Satellite Video • Internet • Telephones • CES • Home Theater • Networking • Product News

People often ask us what their best bet is regarding web, TV and telephone service. Everyone has their favorites; even “Consumer Reports.” The mag just announced results that fiber-optic services seem to be the leading choice, when it comes to the trifecta. Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse were cited as the best bang for your buck, as well as providing some of the best customer service. Sadly, those services are not available everywhere. In that case, the report says to go with “a highly-rated cable… View this story
Cable • DSL • Satellite • Ethernet • Fiber/FiOS • IPTV • Telephones • VoIP • Home Theater • Networking • Product News

Apparently, people still want their home and cell phones to play nice. For those occasions, Xtreme Technology just announced the XLink, a Bluetooth gateway which ties your home phone together with up to three mobile lines.  It sort of makes sense for someone like me. I never have my cell phone on me. Instead of worrying about missed calls, the XLink would route cell calls through the house phone. It’s also nice for those that still don’t have a home plan that pads long distance… View this story
Cell Phones • Routers and Switches • Telephones • Networking • Product News