What is Answering machine?
[[Image:Panasonic-Anrufbeantworter.jpg|thumb|right|This answering machine uses audio cassettes]] An '''answering machine''' (other names are '''answerphone''', '''ansaphone''', '''ansafone''' and '''Telephone Answering Device''' (TAD)) is a [[machine]]. It is attached to a [[telephone]] line. If the phone is not answered after a few rings, it will play a [[message]] to the caller. The caller can then leave a message (after a sound that has become known as ''the beep''). It is different form [[voicemail]] which is based in the network. Answering machines are installed at home (or at the office). At first, answering machines used [[Magnetic tape|tapes]] (a smaller version of [[audio cassette]]s). Today, most systems use [[RAM|computer memory]] to store the messages and the prerecorded text. Many systems allow to listen to the left messages by simply calling the answering machine. Answering machines also have a system to save costs: If there are no new messages, there will be fewer rings. {{Home appliances}} {{tech-stub}} [[Category:Machines]] [[Category:Home appliances]]