Types of Different Answering Machines

An answering machine, which is, also known as an answerphone, ansafone, or ansaphone is a device that was invented in 1904 to automatically answer telephone calls and record the messages left by each caller, when the party was unable to answer the phone.  Early answering machines used magnetic tapes, but now digital answering machines use memory storage to store all the calls and greetings.
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Digital answering machines have taken over the market from the older answer machines that would record the messages on tapes.  Digital answering machines are faster and quieter.  They let you bounce from message to a different message and picking and choosing which messages to keep or delete.  Another advantage of digital answering machines is you do not have to worry about finding replacement tapes anymore.

Most answering machines have an automatic greeting.  The owner of the answering machine may record their message or greeting that will be played back to the person that calls there phone.  An automatic message will be the default thing played if the owner does not record a custom greeting.  Answering machines can also be programmed to start after a certain number of rings.  This is useful if you like to screen your calls and not wish to talk to all the people that call your phone.