Verizon Wireless this week introduced the verizon Hub, a touchscreen VoIP system for the home, which costs $200 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a two-year agreement.

"In an effort to rekindle some love for the old-school kitchen telephone, Verizon Wireless is getting set to roll out a brand-new touchscreen VoIP phone that offers visual voicemail, calendaring, text alerts, local traffic, weather reports and the ability to send turn-by-turn directions to Verizon Wireless phones," writes TechNewsWorld's Chris Maxcer.

"The Verizon Hub will provide integration of VoIP calls with wireless phones and run on any broadband wired connection, regardless of whether it is supplied by Verizon FiOS, DSL or any other high-speed service provider," writes Computerworld's Matt Hamblen.

"The Verizon Hub needs more functionality to be worth its high cost," writes PC Mag's Sascha Segan. "It's replacing Verizon's VoIP service, VoiceWing, in the carrier's portfolio. VoiceWing was a simple voice service without the flashy touch screen, but it cost $10/month less, didn't require a $250 phone and didn't require a separate Verizon Wireless contract..."

More here from FierceVoIP ... more here from VoIP Monitor ... more here from Mobiledia ... and the press release is here.