New York - May 09, 2001

Sorry I Can't Get to the Phone. . .

Bang & Olufsen BeoTalk Answering Machine

Once upon a time there were While You Were Out message pads.

Then came the answering machine. And we felt really cool, because Mom didn’t have access to every corner of our lives (and we could save messages from boys to play back for our friends).

But along with technology came liability. Voice mail worsened the scenario. Not only was it the death of screening calls, but we had no excuse: no lost tapes or deadbeat roommates…and we had to prostitute ourselves to the rules, regulations, and fees imposed by Bell Atlantic.

But—take note, all you little white liars!—the answering machine is back, and in fine form. It’s twenty-first-century style, and ready to be your alibi. The Bang & Olufsen BeoTalk 1200 (not to be confused with the Anglo-Saxon battle epic Beowulf) can be programmed to speak the name of the person calling and will also block unsolicited calls from up to ten numbers (callers will hear a busy tone).

Best of all, you can create different greetings for different callers.

You boss is calling? You’re home sick. (Cough, cough.)

The family? Happy Birthday, Sis! I’m on my way with the tequila!

And your significant other? Well…that depends how many you have.

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