REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 6, 1998 — Microsoft Corp. today introduced its first telephone, the Microsoft® Cordless Phone System, which uses the power of the PC to deliver unprecedented flexibility and ease for customizing call management and message services. The Microsoft Cordless Phone System is a 900MHz telephone designed for consumers seeking a convenient, versatile tool for managing home-based personal and business calls. Developed by combining Microsoft’s software and hardware expertise, the Microsoft Cordless Phone System extends the functionality of the Caller ID service offered by regional telephone companies and provides some entirely new capabilities.
“Never before has a cordless telephone tapped so much of the PC’s power to expand the usefulness of existing caller services and add new functionality,”
said Rick Thompson, vice president of the hardware group at Microsoft.
“The Microsoft Cordless Phone System will revolutionize the way busy families, professionals and home entrepreneurs manage their important phone calls and messages.”
Microsoft Call Manager Software Offers Multiple Benefits
Microsoft Call Manager software performs a variety of call-management functions. The software’s Enhanced Caller ID features allow users to create personalized greetings for different callers and block unwanted callers while letting high-priority callers ring through. The Caller ID Announce feature allows users to hear who’s calling through the handset speaker before picking up the phone.
Microsoft Call Manager Voice Command functions allow users to place calls and check messages by speaking simple commands spoken into the cordless handset. For example, by directing the telephone to
“call Dad,”
the system will recognize the command as an instruction to place a call to the number listed for
“Dad.”
Because the Microsoft voice-recognition technology in the Microsoft Cordless Phone System can correctly recognize voices from different users, it is unnecessary to
“train”
the voice-command functions. Additional voice commands, such as
“return the call”
or
“delete message,”
allow users to navigate through telephone messages and pick them up easily, quickly and efficiently via the system’s handset.
Microsoft Call Manager’s voice mail system lets users create individual voice mailboxes for family members, business calls, and civic and recreation groups, as well as store thousands of messages. Messages can be retrieved via the Microsoft handset or from any outside phone. The software also automatically logs all incoming and outgoing calls on the PC.
Robust Hardware Delivers Clarity, Security
The Microsoft Cordless Phone System includes a 900MHz cordless handset, a charging cradle that can be placed anywhere in the home and a base station that connects to the phone line and the PC serial port. The unit also features a hold button, a redial button, volume control, an out-of-range alert and a low-battery warning. The Microsoft Cordless Phone System’s 40-channel 900MHz operation delivers extended range with remarkable sound clarity and low interference.
System Requirements and Availability
To take full advantage of Microsoft Cordless Phone System features, users will need a PC with a Pentium 90 processor or higher running a Windows® 95 or Windows 98 operating system. The PC must have an available serial port, 16 MB of available RAM (32 MB recommended), 30 MB to 100 MB of hard disk space, a CD-ROM drive, a 256-color monitor and adapter, and a 16-bit Windows-compatible sound card with a microphone and speakers or headphones. To use Voice Command, Caller ID or voice messaging, the PC must be turned on and running the Call Manager software. To use Caller ID features, the user must subscribe to Caller ID service from the local telephone company.
Microsoft Cordless Phone System is scheduled to be available in November 1998 at an estimated retail price of $199.95.
Microsoft Hardware Group
The Microsoft hardware group employs innovative engineering, cutting-edge industrial design and extensive usability testing to create products of exceptional quality and durability that improve the software experience and strengthen the connection between users and their PCs.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
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