Verizon Wireless' touch-screen VoIP phone that can receive text messages and use Web-based widgets is coming.

The new phone system - the Verizon Hub is a desktop phone with a large touch-screen display and is based on OpenPeak's OpenFrame design, which we saw at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2008.

The Verizon Hub will have a 7-inch touch screen and visual voicemail among other things if provided through Verizon Wireless it will cost $200 (after a $50 rebate) and customers must sign a two-year contract with a $35 minimum monthly charge for the Verizon Hub Digital Voice plan.

The Hub connects to any broadband line to provide home phone service using the Internet. It integrates with Verizon Wireless service[home broadband line] so that customers can send and receive SMS text messages, have limited Web browser, digital picture frame directly and acts as a family calendar from their home phone it also use a location-based services.

Verizon believes this is a dynamic move sure to rattle devotees of plain old home phones, according to a press release.

The product will be available beginning Feb. 1 at Verizon Wireless' 2,200 retail outlets and online.

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