At first, it looks like a cross between an iphone and an ipad.

The device needs a bigpond broadband internet connection and a phone line.

You can use it to surf the net, and has many built in “apps” like:

• make a phone call (surprise surprise).
• web browser
• online yellow pages & white pages.
• youtube.
• weather.
• news.
• facebook.
• sms.
• calendar.
• internet radio (but limited in some ways).
• video (can also play videos from an SD card and USB drive).
• music player (again, also works with SD card and USB).
• photo frame (also works with SD card and USB).
• a few other built-in apps.

but:

• you cannot customise the layout of existing apps.
• you cannot get more apps.
• you cannot use VOIP services like skype.
• the on-screen keyboard could be better… you have to hit the “number” button to enter numbers… a problem if you are entering something that has text and numbers (like a WiFi password).
• The battery life if very limited (I’ve heard reports of between 15 min – 1 hour). I would expect this device to have at least 2 hours for something like this… particularly if you want to use it as a phone!
• the internet radio is limited to telstras selection of radio stations.
• you cannot make video calls as it has no webcam (you should get a netbook with a webcam to do this)
• the price is $299. I think that for an extra $100, you are better off with a netbook laptop.

All up, Id say the t-hub is interesting, but it has many limitations in its current form.

For me, the biggest limitations are:

• battery life.
• you cannot expand its functionality in the same way as the iphone & ipad, etc.
• high price (particularly given its lack of application expandability).

To make the t-hub a real success, I’d say a price of $29 is appropriate, given its current capabilities.

So why are Telstra pushing the t-hub?

Most people agree that its an effort to stop people leaving the land-line service, by offering something, that telstra hopes, will get people back to using the old-fashioned land-line.

I think its going to be a dead duck.

Sure, some people will like it, but I doubt many people will go and install a land-line phone service, just to get a t-hub… particularly when it effectively forces you to use telstra services, and deliberately locks you out of competing services (like skype).

I think Telstra need to pull their heads out of the sand; see the writing on the wall, and need to decide to really beef up their mobile network as a full replacement for landlines.