AT&T Home Manager

S

Slates

Active Member
Has anyone gotten this? It is a small touchscreen unit (with a wireless phone linked) that connects to your Uverse and land line (not sure about VOIP). It sounds pretty cool, and is very cheap ($100 right now with discounts).

Its capabilities:
Has web widgets for Stocks, Recipes, News, Email, Weather, etc
Calendar w/ reminders
Acts as photo frame
Speakerphone
Visual Voicemail
some other minor things

Major detractor in my mind:
No HTML browser.

I was thinking of maybe picking one up with the hope that they do a firmware/software update that allows web browsing on the unit. If so, I think it would be a great mobile device to link into the HA world...

Anyone have one of these? Any impressions to offer?

For more detailed info:
http://www.attyourworld.com/homemanager/
 
Looks like a glorified palm pilot to me. Maybe someone can hack it to run the Ubuntu Netbook Remix and make it actually useful.
 
bslater said:
Has anyone gotten this? It is a small touchscreen unit (with a wireless phone linked) that connects to your Uverse and land line (not sure about VOIP). It sounds pretty cool, and is very cheap ($100 right now with discounts).

Its capabilities:
Has web widgets for Stocks, Recipes, News, Email, Weather, etc
Calendar w/ reminders
Acts as photo frame
Speakerphone
Visual Voicemail
some other minor things

Major detractor in my mind:
No HTML browser.

I was thinking of maybe picking one up with the hope that they do a firmware/software update that allows web browsing on the unit. If so, I think it would be a great mobile device to link into the HA world...

Anyone have one of these? Any impressions to offer?

For more detailed info:
http://www.attyourworld.com/homemanager/
Click to expand...

I'm not an owner of one but rather I evaluated this unit for my job. Its O.K. for what it is, and it has a few quirks, but for $100, that is a good price. It was originally priced much higher, and Verizon sells a version of this as well (they both are manufactured by the same company, Samsung.)

Also keep in mind that they are planning to discontinue this product shortly, if they haven't officially already. (But they will still support it)
 
Hmm.. so are you basing the discontinued theory on the sales price or have you actually read that they are?

If they are, I would assume web browsing wouldn't ever be added... and that would significantly reduce the potential of this tool to me. I am definitely tempted though.. it does much more than my automated switches and costs only marginally more :)
 
bslater said:
Hmm.. so are you basing the discontinued theory on the sales price or have you actually read that they are?

If they are, I would assume web browsing wouldn't ever be added... and that would significantly reduce the potential of this tool to me. I am definitely tempted though.. it does much more than my automated switches and costs only marginally more :)
Click to expand...

I can't tell you it has been discontinued if they haven't announced it, but I can tell you sales of the product have been under expectations, and its predominant display in its stores has recently been greatly reduced in favor of making room for new AT&T Netbooks just announced.

Every product is eventually discontinued, so I wouldn't let that put you off. If they have said they will provide web browsing, they probably will. When I used it, you were captive to fixed sites designed for it.
 
I am already a Uverse customer so I think I get the discount. Uverse isn't too bad, especially when your only other choice is Comcast. Maybe next decade I can move to FIOS.. but I something tells me not to hold my breath!


@ano,
I haven't actually read that they will add web browsing.. I just know that its been requested by everyone and identified in reviews as its major flaw. I wouldn't be surprised if they moved to the netbook though and stopped development on this device. I just think the netbook idea isn't quite as good, considering its still not quite as "on demand" as a device like this. Guess I should hold out judgement until I see what they offer though!
 
bslater said:
I am already a Uverse customer so I think I get the discount. Uverse isn't too bad, especially when your only other choice is Comcast. Maybe next decade I can move to FIOS.. but I something tells me not to hold my breath!


@ano,
I haven't actually read that they will add web browsing.. I just know that its been requested by everyone and identified in reviews as its major flaw. I wouldn't be surprised if they moved to the netbook though and stopped development on this device. I just think the netbook idea isn't quite as good, considering its still not quite as "on demand" as a device like this. Guess I should hold out judgement until I see what they offer though!
Click to expand...


I follow these type products and I can tell you they seem to pop-up every few years. Give the customer some type of terminal which will be subsidized in exchange for getting them to sign up for service. Verizon now has the "Hub" there is the "Homemanager" here and there has been others. I'm not saying it is a bad idea, but I am saying these type devices never sell well. When introduced they are pretty pricey, even with service, and it takes a pretty tech-savvy person to appreciate them. The average person is "confused" by them, and isn't going to spend $500 for "a fancy phone." The price is then slashed but by then it is too late, by then the project is scrapped and all they are trying to do is reduce their loses and clear out stock anyway they can. In a few years, the idea will pop-up again.

Netbooks won't replace this device, and won't even compete with it, but what I mean is that AT&T store space is limited, and Netbooks are the latest push, so the Homemanager gets moved to the "bargain bin" to give shelf space for the new products.

If you already have the service, and an extra $100, its probably a fun toy to play with. After a few months, when everyone in your family is bored with it, check the web and I'm sure you'll find out how others have installed Ubuntu on it and use it for a DVR/Home Controller/Home Server/Missile Fire Control Panel. After you've modified yours, you can sell it on e-Bay and get your $100 back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top