Republic Wireless, a popular MVNO that runs off of Sprint and T-Mobile, offers, among other things, some pretty comprehensive Wi-Fi calling options that caught the eye of Walt Mossberg last year.
So currently the corporate is doing something a little differently for its 1st hardware product, a smart speakerphone called anywhere HQ. according to Republic’s web site, anywhere HQ syncs with your regular phone number and allows you to make and receive calls.
There isn’t a lot of info on the device out yet, but it seems that the anywhere HQ consists of a cordless phone that lives on a dock which will also operate as a speakerphone using a speaker on the rear. That page also tells the speaker can add some type of smart assistant with voice controls, although Republic is not giving any details on that beyond the actual fact that you’ll be ready to start calls through voice commands.
Anywhere HQ is created as an extension of the existing public anywhere service, that permits users to text and call from iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows pc applications additionally to their phones.
It’s still pretty early days for the anywhere HQ; Republic is opening the speaker up to its Republic Wireless Labs test program for users to assist improve the device, and there’s no price or release date announced. but in a world where companies such as Amazon and Google are struggling to figure out how to execute for cell phone integration work with Alexa and Assistant, Republic leveraging it is existing cellular knowledge could be an interesting edge.
