Home phone News

Landline smartphone comes to the UK

Monday 24 October, 2011

By Kelvin Goodson

Gigaset SL910A will be the first touchscreen home phone available in the UK when it hits stores next month

The first touchscreen home phone available in the UK will go on sale next month.

The Gigaset SL910A is a landline telephone which uses the touchscreen technology now commonly used in smartphones and tablet computers.

According to German cordless phone manufacturer Gigaset, “convenience is at the heart” of the SL910A, as it enables users to scroll through contacts, make calls and store photos as they would on a smartphone.

The handset features a 3.5in high-resolution colour display and photo caller display. Up to 240 photos can be stored on it, which can be attached to contacts and also used to create a slideshow when the phone is on standby.

The device can store up to 500 contacts, each with up to eight numbers, while your most used numbers can be stored on the customisable home screen. Contacts can also be synchronised with those on Outlook on your Mac or PC.

The SL910A includes calendars, an analogue clock and caller lists which can be configured to your personal preferences and also dragged and dropped onto the home screen.

It also features home-optimised ringtones, adaptable hands-free calling via a separate loudspeaker, and call holding, and comes with a chrome-plated charging cradle.

The SL910A, including base unit and incorporating an answering machine, will be available from retailers such as John Lewis from November for £139.99. The additional handset - SL910H - will cost £119.99.

Last month, Dutch electronics company Philips unveiled ThinkLink, a home phone that can link your mobile and landline handset together, allowing you to make and receive landline and mobile calls from the same device.