September 24, 2008

AT&T Introduces the Home Manager Smart Touch Panel

It seems that every new electronic device we plug in at home, the lights get just a bit dimmer. We figure we have just enough juice left in the house to add the AT&T Home Manager Smart Touch Panel . The device is basically a mini touch-screen computer designed to integrate with your home phone service. Here's a breakdown of the device from AT&T's website:

So much more than just a phone, AT&T HomeManager™ is a revolutionary new device for the home.

Easy communication
The latest technology makes for simple, one-stop access to your address book, voicemail, Yellow Pages, email and more.

Make instant calls using your address book, call logs, and Yellow Pages online directories.
View recent messages and select the call you want to listen to first with visual voicemail.
Read and respond to emails without having to go to the computer.
The handset and frame even have built-in intercoms for room-to-room communication.

Quick access to the information you need.
Internet snacking! The touch screen serves up all the tidbits you need, quickly and easily.

Get weather info, the latest news, movie show times, previews and reviews, sports scores, stock quotes, recipes, lottery numbers, horoscopes and more.
View interactive maps of your YellowPages search results.
Admire and share photos from your latest trip right on the color touch screen.

Stay more organized -- in less time.
Cutting edge technology helps keep you more organized than before.

Use the calendar to get appointment information at a glance and remember every engagement with automatic reminders.
Innovative address book keeps your mobile and home contact information for friends, family and coworkers in one easy-to-access spot.

The basic specs:

Frame specification:

7" screen, 800x480 resolution
Battery duration during operating: 2 hours. Standby duration: 24 hours.
24-bit color (16.7 million colors)
Internal storage of 256MB
Additional external storage via SD memory card and/or USB flash drive (not included)

Frame and handset specifications:

Full-duplex speakerphone
Cordless DECT 6.0 handset and frame
Battery charge time: 5 hours for frame and 15 hours for handset

The Home Manager sound like a handy device, but we're not sure if anyone's going to pay $299 for it. If you have the Home Manger, let us know what you think.

At AT&T.com