The home phone catches up with the 21st century

FOR years, it was the only way we could reach the outside world, but with the introduction of mobiles and the internet, it soon became something many of us could live without.

Just as the home phone was becoming an endangered species, Telstra this week introduced a new product that it says has completely reinvented it.

The new T-Hub combines the power of the internet with the convenience of a landline. It is a tablet console with an 18cm colour touchscreen and cordless handset.

Using the touchscreen, users can make and receive hands-free calls as well as send and receive SMS messages to other Telstra mobiles and T-Hubs.

Jenny Young, Telstra's executive director for consumer marketing channels, says bringing the internet and the home phone together is a "milestone".

"We're really excited about it," she said. "We're sure Australians are going to enjoy the capabilities it delivers."

The screen is filled with icons that are short cuts to websites. They are accessed wirelessly using a BigPond broadband connection.

Users can log on to Twitter, Facebook and YouTube and access information like the weather forecast and news and sports headlines or videos.

The T-Hub will be available to customers in various bundles including a home phone with unlimited local calls, a BigPond broadband plan and a wireless modem gateway. Existing Telstra home phone and internet customers can buy the T-Hub for $299.

While the home phone looks to the future, Tristan O'Brien, of Belair, was admiring its past at Antique Market in Grote St yesterday. "It's good to keep a bit of history . . . especially if they're collectable," he said. "I think some of the things we can do with echnology these days are not necessary, things like social networking. But I guess it enables people to keep in touch easily."