OpenPeak OpenFrame home phone/ information system

iPhone clone for your home

21 August 2008 12:42 GMT / By Katie Scott

If you one of the those many tech fans who almost cried with excitement when Apple first announced it was going to make a phone, well check this out.

For over a year, IP telephony company OpenPeak has been working on what looks very much like an iPhone clone for homes.

The OpenFrame is a phone/information centre that it is almost ready to go into production, according to Wired, and could be on shelves by the beginning of next year.

"It is meant to replace the home phone, which has been left behind by technology", says OpenPeak.

So you get VoIP capabilities, internet and normal calling capabilities and the phone can also be used as a digital picture frame, or a device to listen to internet radio.

The company is also adopting an iPhone model - so users can add apps developed by third parties.

Apps offered already include a calendar, news feed, and weather reports - but, as with the iPhone, you can expect hundreds more.

"One of the beauties of the product is that it is dynamic. It is really a blank screen of opportunity", says the manufacturer.

OpenPeak is now in talks with telecoms companies around the world about bringing the phone to market, and when it does hit shops, it is expected to cost between $200 to $300.