UPDATE ON 03-25-2010:

The second specimen of my once beloved General Electric white model 29586GE1 started "hanging up on" incoming calls, which prompted me, rather reluctantly and regretfully, to return it to Wal-Mart. That also meant that I felt compelled to lower my rating of the white version from "four stars" to only "two stars."

What follows below is my review as it stood before that second unit went on the proverbial fritz!

However, let me add that I subsequently purchased the closely related GE model 29586FE1 (i.e., the black version of this product) at Office Depot. That latest specimen has been working fine for about a year and a half (as of this update).

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Prefatory note #1: As of this writing, you can click the above Epinions.com image to behold an enlargement (which still doesn't do justice to this beautifully designed phone). If you'd like to behold a still greater enlargement, as of this writing you can use the following URL:

http://www.home-electronics.net/ge/pc/catalog/29586GE1_L.jpg

Also note that the above image shows the unusually large-and-legible LDC display pivoted partially upward and forward from its normal "flat" position.

Prefatory note #2: I bought the white version of this phone [i.e., model 29586GE1, a.k.a. model "29586GE1-A" (the latter designation appears on the adhesive label on the underside of the phone)], as pictured above. Not only does that color harmonize with my country kitchen's decor, but also it was the only color available at my neighborhood Wal-Mart Supercenter. However, a black version of this phone does exist (as model 29586FE1) and is available at Office Depot (and perhaps elsewhere). The "User's Guide" (booklet) accompanying my white phone appears to pertain to both available (color) versions; its cover photo shows only the black version, and the text heading "generically" refers to "Model 29586." Therefore, confidently choose whichever color version (model) better harmonizes with your room's decor (or your innate sensibilities). As of this writing, you can behold photos of both color versions (models) at the following GE web page (at which you can scroll slightly downward to view/click the first two photos):
http://home-electronics.net/ge/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=10

Prefatory note #3: At Wal-Mart (or elsewhere) don't confuse this speakerphone with any outwardly similar (and cheaper) GE speakerphone model lacking the "answering machine" feature. [I'm alluding to the following two GE models: 29585FE1 (black) or 29585GE1 (white).]

Prefatory note #4: My first specimen of this GE model was somewhat defective. Specifically, its digital answerer would occasionally label a saved message with the wrong day and time; and it once reported that I had over 30 new messages when I actually had only one. Still more disconcertingly, when I'd pick up the handset to answer a call, occasionally the unit would terminate the connection. The final straw was when I noticed a hairline crack near the upper-left corner of the plastic frame surrounding the LCD window (that crack was functionally insignificant but nonetheless vexing). But, realizing that about 2% of all manufactured products are more or less defective, I exchanged my first model 29586 for a second specimen; and the latter unit has functioned flawlessly for days. My advice to prospective buyers is to go ahead and spring for this pleasing product, but retain your sales receipt in the unlikely event you purchase one of the (presumably rare) defective specimens. Moreover, I've decided that I'll virtually never move the pivoting LCD display from its "flat" position. I figure leaving it alone will lessen the likelihood of any hairline cracks appearing in the frame. Besides, I actually prefer using the LCD in its "flat" position, given that the underlying base of this phone already slopes "downward and forward" such that it's actually quite unnecessary to move the display. But if you do choose to move it, I suggest that you settle on one optimal position and henceforth leave it there.


Foreword: Why Would I Buy a Corded Phone?

In 2000 I bought what had seemed a likable Panasonic cordless phone. Little did I anticipate that, after about two years of occasional use, its battery would expire, making it necessary to spend a surprisingly large chunk of money if I wanted to keep that phone going. That's when I acquired a renewed appreciation for "old-fashioned" corded models like the subject of this review (the GE model 29586). My ultra-frugal, early-retirement lifestyle is such that I don't necessarily need a cordless home phone; but I do need a phone now and again, and I can readily appreciate any low-cost, multifaceted model promising to last perhaps one or two decades sans ongoing expenditures. This is likewise why I canceled my cell phone service several years ago.

A secondary advantage of a corded phone is that its most basic features remain functional during power outages. By contrast, cordless phones won't function when electrical power goes out; and a cell phone might not function, depending on whether cell towers are affected by the outage.

Given modern society's collective penchant for highly portable communication, one's choices in a new, low-cost, corded "home" phone encompassing both a satisfactory speakerphone and a powerful digital answering system have noticeably diminished, making this type of product something of a dinosaur or endangered species. In fact, at Best Buy I recently noticed only one such product on the shelf: AT&T's model 1856 ($29.99). In fact, I actually purchased and briefly owned that AT&T phone. But not long after buying the AT&T, I happened to notice this GE model 29586 at my neighborhood Wal-Mart Supercenter. Beholding this unit's twice-as-large (and movable) LCD display and its significantly larger numerical keys (not to mention still other admirable features), I ultimately decided to shell out $34.82 and to divest myself of that marginally cheaper AT&T model. The AT&T 1856 is a decent and dependable product, but its cramped LCD display is nowhere near as legible as that of this GE. Furthermore, that AT&T unit's overall layout of primary keys and auxiliary buttons--though rather nice--isn't quite so consummately stylish as that of this GE. And sundry other features of that AT&T model could be cited for being less friendly or powerful than their counterparts on this relatively elegant GE model.

Accordingly, I deem this model 29586 the best surviving exemplar of an endangered species: the affordable, "home" (nonbusiness), single-line, corded "integrated telephone/speakerphone/answering machine."


GE's affordable model 29586: three devices in one pretty package

First, the model 29586 is, of course, a basic corded telephone, and a darned attractive one at that. Second, it's a satisfying speakerphone. Third, it's a feature-laden digital answering machine. You can find all three functions in competing models costing still less money; however, none of those models include such a sizable, legible LCD display, much less one that you can pivot upward and forward (from its normal position) to suit virtually any user's vantage point.

Moreover, competing models generally don't feature such a pleasing and logical layout of keys and buttons. Indeed, whoever designed this configuration merits kudos for their admirable grasp of ergonomics, not to mention artistic genius. This product is a superb example of "form following function."

I'll next consider the most salient aspects of this product as, respectively, (1) a "basic telephone;" (2) a "speakerphone;" and, not least, (3) a "digital answerer" (a.k.a. "answering machine").


Basic telephone (features and performance)

This phone agreeably resides in that "sweet spot" between too small and too large. It measures 7.88 x 7.25 x 3.55 inches and weighs 1 pound, 13 ounces. On the rear of the base are two jacks: a "line" jack for the included white telephone line cord (whose length is 6 feet); and a "POWER 9V DC jack" for one end of the included white, smallish AC adapter's cord (whose length is slightly over 8 feet).

But the first feature you're likely to notice is the pleasingly large-and-legible LCD display. Competing products in this marketplace niche generally force you to settle for a relatively hard-to-read, half-as-large display. Furthermore, no other phone in this niche sports a movable (five-position) display that you can pivot upward and forward from its usual "flat" position. I use the word "flat" in a relative sense; in actuality, when used in its standard, "desktop" mode [an included adapter allows alternative mounting on a wall], this phone's upper surface slopes sufficiently "downward and forward" such that the display is typically quite readable in its "ordinary" position. Nonetheless, it's nice having the option to pivot the screen forward, and doubtless that will prove a key selling point for many consumers.

The LCD display's contrast is adjustable via the "menu" button (i.e., the bottommost button of the far-right column of keys--directly above the pleasingly traditional "GE" logo). I myself keep the contrast set to "5" (maximum contrast), which provides more than satisfactory legibility (albeit the resolution's still not quite state-of-the-art). As with the most nearly analogous competing products I've seen, the display is not illuminated or backlit; therefore, you might want to keep a small lamp nearby.

Perhaps the next greatest selling point of this phone is its numerical keypad, which features not only gratifyingly sizable--and gently sculpted--keys but also large-and-legible printed characters. Even if your eyesight is perfect (and especially if it isn't), you'll appreciate the well-proportioned combination of this keypad and the LCD display.

Directly below the numerical keypad is a row comprising the following three buttons (from left to right): "redial," "flash/exit" and "dial." Obviously, "redial" spares you from having to reenter the most recently dialed phone number. The "flash/exit" button is continually handy for exiting (backing out of) various procedures, including reviewing saved messages or menu-setup options. And you can press "dial" after entering a phone number or selecting a previously stored "speed-dial" number (see next paragraph). [Note, however, that thusly pressing the "dial" key is actually quite unnecessary. For, after entering a phone number (or selecting a previously stored "speed-dial" number), you can simply pick up the handset (or press the speakerphone button), and dialing will automatically begin.]

Directly above the numerical keypad is a row of three "one-touch dialing" buttons. These are for dialing your most frequently used phone numbers, which you can save in the unit's memory via the "store" key. Additionally, all ten of the "number" keys (0 through 9) can be used in conjunction with the "store" key to quickly dial still more frequently used, saved numbers. This makes for a total of 13 "speed-dial" buttons to place calls almost effortlessly. You can press any one of those "speed-dial" keys after you've lifted the handset from the base, or you can first press a "speed-dial" key and then lift the handset from the base, at which point the call will be placed (and a handy "timer"--on the LCD screen--automatically begins displaying the duration of your call in hours/minutes/seconds). Either way, your dialing and connectivity progress will be clearly indicated on the eminently large display.

To the right of the main numerical keypad (whose keys are all hard, durable plastic), you'll notice various clearly labeled buttons arranged vertically to form a column (whose keys are slightly rubbery--nonetheless rather durable--plastic). At the very top of that column, the "mute" button prevents a caller from hearing what you say, while letting you continue hearing what they say. Whenever muting is activated, that button softly glows with an unmistakable red hue.

Likewise red when activated, the next lower "speakerphone" button is surrounded by four smaller buttons forming a circular perimeter. Two of those buttons (labeled "VOL " and "VOL -") allow you to set the volume for various functions, including the handset's speaker and the agreeable (albeit synthetic) female voice that narrates the available options after you press the "menu" key (for setting the number of answer rings; incoming message length; recording quality; day, time, and date; dialing mode, i.e., "tone" or "pulse;" security code; LCD display contrast level; dialing mode; language, i.e., English, Spanish or French); etc. The other two buttons (among the four surrounding the speakerphone button) are labeled, respectively, "repeat" and "skip." Among other things, those two keys allow you quickly to navigate the various setup options after you press the "menu" key.

I've already mentioned the "store" key, which likewise has its place in the right-hand column of buttons. I'll discuss the other buttons in that stack at appropriate points in the below sections of this review.

I'd be remiss not to mention that the handset's own speaker and microphone work very satisfyingly, just as you'd expect. And, while listening to a caller via the handset, it's easy to adjust the volume. Just press the aforementioned "VOL " or "VOL -" button on the keypad.

As for the volume of this phone's pleasingly pitched ringer, there's an inconspicuously small, three-position sliding switch on the right edge of the base. Setting that switch to the first (leftmost) position shuts off (mutes) the ringer; setting it to the middle position activates a fairly soft ringing tone that might not be heard in the next room; and setting it to the rightmost position activates "maximum" volume (i.e., a somewhat louder ringing tone that should be heard in adjacent rooms by people with normal hearing). I keep mine set to "maximum," which is by no means objectionably or startlingly loud.

Additionally, of course, the oversized, movable LCD screen always legibly displays the current time, month and date in large, high-contrast characters (provided that you initially set it up for "maximum contrast" via the "menu"), making this phone simultaneously a handy desktop (or wall-mountable) clock. And whenever I'm browsing through the "speed-dial" numbers (and associated names), or whenever I'm manually inputting a new number to dial, that unusually large-and-legible display is a continually handy monitor of my hands-on progress.


Speakerphone (features and performance)

Like me, over the years you've likely encountered this or that bottom-end "speakerphone" product whose price was enticing but whose performance ranged from worthless to unsatisfying. Until I recently bought this GE model, I'd found that my only speakerphone to deliver fully satisfying performance was a 1996-vintage GE (model 2-9981B) whose list price was well over $100. Now, while I won't say that this latest "$34.82" GE encompasses a speakerphone fully as sensitive, clear and dynamic as that of my still functional "$100 " GE (which I continue to use in another area of my home), I will say the clarity of this model "29586" satisfies both me and my callers. In fact, this speakerphone sounds nearly 90% as good as what you'd expect from a top-of-the-line model, which is to say it's plenty good enough for most consumers' purposes.

The tiny microphone port is located at the front, right-hand corner/edge of the phone, virtually on the underside. For general speakerphone (or "memo"-recording) use, I noticed little difference in the overall effectiveness of that mike when I lifted the phone's front edge upward (to speak directly into the mike port) versus when I simply spoke from a normal angle (seated with my head at a typical distance above the phone). I asked my brother (on the other end of a recent phone conversation) if my voice via this speakerphone sounded about as clear as ever to him (he had heard me many times via my much costlier, high quality speakerphone in the finished basement), and he promptly replied it sounded fine. Nor have any of my other listeners voiced or evidenced any difficulty in hearing or understanding me whenever I've used this speakerphone.

Therefore, I conclude that this affordable speakerphone amounts to a winner, albeit not necessarily a state-of-the-art performer. It's fully as good as, if not better than, what you'd reasonably expect from such a multifaceted model (encompassing a digital answering machine) at this price level.

Activating "speakerphone mode" prior to dialing a number is simple. Just press the conspicuous "speakerphone" button (located near the top of the right-hand column of keys); that button then glows with a soft, pleasing red hue, and you'll simultaneously hear a dial tone via the speaker. You can then dial a phone number (or just press any of the "speed-dial" buttons that you've previously set).

Alternatively, you can first dial a number (or press any previously set "speed-dial" button) and then press the "speakerphone" button.

During a conversation, you can instantly switch from using the handset to using the speakerphone mode. Just press the "speakerphone" button and then hang up the receiver. Conversely, you can instantly switch from speakerphone mode to handset mode. Just pick up the handset (speakerphone mode is thereby deactivated).


Digital answerer (features and performance)

This phone's digital "answering machine" (a.k.a. "answerer") component is powerful and easy-to-use. You activate the answerer by pressing the "ans on/off" button within the rightmost column of keys. Whenever the answerer is deactivated, the lower-left portion of the LCD display conspicuously reads, "ANS OFF." [Also, whenever you press the "ans on/off" button, the synthetic female voice announces, "Answer off" (or "Answer on").]

The included "User's Guide" (booklet) states "when a call comes in, the unit will ring the number of times set, play the greeting, and record the incoming call." Let's consider those three functions in turn.

You set the "number of rings before the system answers" by first pressing the "menu" key ("ring number" is the very first menu-setup option displayed). You then use either the "repeat" or the "skip" button to set the number of rings (from 2 to 8).

To record (or re-record) your "greeting" (a.k.a. "announcement") that callers will hear before leaving messages, press and hold the "announce" button (within the rightmost column of keys). The female voice will prompt you to begin recording (speaking). Maximum allowable announcement length is 30 seconds. Once your announcement is recorded, you can hear it any time you like by pressing the "announce" button.

Note that there is no "announce-only" mode to allow callers to hear your announcement while preventing them from leaving messages. (Such a mode could be useful if you want to notify callers that you'll be away for an extended period and that they can call back after a specific time or date.) Though I myself would seldom, if ever, use such an announcement mode, I can imagine that a noteworthy minority of consumers might frequently use or even require it. [If this applies to you, I suggest you consider the competing AT&T model 1856 speakerphone/answerer, which not only includes an "announce-only" mode but also allows your recorded announcement to be as lengthy as three minutes! However, be aware that that comparably priced AT&T product--"nice" and reliable though it admittedly is--otherwise lacks many excellent features included with this generally friendlier and more elegant GE model 29586GE1--not least the unusually large-and-legible LCD display. Also note that I expect to post a review of the AT&T model 1856 in the future.]

While initially recording and playing my announcement, I noticed that this relatively low-cost model's microphone and speaker (and/or the "sampling rate" used during digital recording) aren't 100% as sensitive or powerful as their counterparts in my 1996-vintage GE (model 2-9981B) machine; to be fair, however, the latter high-end product originally cost well over $100. And, bottom line, the perceived sonic difference is rather trivial. In order to maximize the clarity of my "announcement" with this affordable model "29586," I had to take slightly more care to speak nearly directly into the microphone, which is located beneath the lower (front) right-hand corner of the unit; moreover, it was necessary to speak at just the right volume and to enunciate certain consonants extra carefully in order to obtain "perfection." For example, you must be careful with your enunciation of "n," such that the word tone (in the clause "leave your message after the tone") doesn't end up sounding like toe. After about three initial experiments, I finally recorded an announcement that sounds virtually, if not fully, as clear and dynamic as what you'd expect from a top-of-the-line answering machine.

Whenever an incoming call (caller's message) is recorded, the prominent "PLAY/STOP" button (within the upper portion of the rightmost column of keys) blinks with a beckoning, conspicuously red hue. To hear the most recently recorded ("new") message(s), press that "PLAY/STOP" key. The synthetic female voice reports, "You have [number] new messages," and then each message is played in the order received. The synthetic voice briefly identifies (prefaces/labels) each respective message (as "Message One," "Message Two," "Message Three," etc.) and states the day and time when each message was left. Rather than listening to all messages in their entirety, you can press the "skip" (or "repeat") button to jump ahead (or backward) to any particular message.

While listening to any message, you can press the "delete" button (located two buttons down from the "PLAY/STOP" button) to instantly erase that particular message. Alternatively, whenever the unit is in ready-to-answer mode, you can press and hold the "delete" button to erase all "old" messages. (The unit will then announce, "Messages erased.")

While listening to playback of messages, you can press the "message speed" button (directly below the "PLAY/STOP" button) to hear that message at a much slower speed (somewhat less than 50% normal speed). Press that button once, and the LCD displays the words "SLOW PLAY;" press it again, and normal playback speed resumes (the words "MESSAGE PLAY" appear on the screen).

After you've played all the "new" messages (any of which you can instantly delete during initial playback), the "PLAY/STOP" button is no longer illuminated, and those "no-longer-new" messages are automatically appended to your collection of previously stored "old" messages (if any). You can always press the "PLAY/STOP" button to replay all (or any) of your accumulated "old" messages; or you can use the "delete" key to erase any (or all) of those messages.

While listening to callers' messages, you can always exit (back out of) that mode by pressing either the "PLAY/STOP" button or the "flash/exit" button.

Regarding the "recording quality" (of incoming messages), via the "menu" key you can select either "standard" (best recording quality) or "long" (next best recording quality). According to the User's Guide, "Long play will give more recording time than standard." However (and curiously), the User's Guide per se provides no information regarding maximum recording time or capacity for the totality of accumulated messages stored in the unit's memory. However, GE's on-line "product-specifications" page states that recording time is 30 minutes in "Standard" mode. That suggests that selecting the "Long-play" menu setting would provide at least twice as much recording time; but I haven't verified this.

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UPDATE INSERTED HERE ON 07-08-2008:

Shortly after originally posting this review, I received a a brief "form letter" (email) from "GE" in response to my request for clarification regarding total recording time in "long-play" mode. I was advised to phone the actual manufacturer of this phone: Thomson, Inc. I proceeded to do so--reluctantly, given that it wasn't a toll-free call. Once I reached a live human, I was put on hold for a total of about ten minutes before being told they'd phone me back in a few days after they "researched" my question.

A week later (today), I received a call from a young lady whose thick accent sounded distinctly Indian. She proceeded to "inform" me that "total recording time is four minutes"! In other words, not only had no actual "research" been done, but she was obviously referring merely to the total time for a single message (not the totality of all messages in memory). Without losing my temper (though I was admittedly irritated), I explained that I already knew that. I simply wanted to know the total recording time for all messages in memory. She said she'd "research" my question and get back to me.

All of five minutes later, she phoned me back and said that total recording time for all messages in memory (when using long-play mode) is ten minutes! At this point it was abundantly clear that she was full of boloney! But, try as I may, I couldn't get her to say much else, other than that long-play mode is (supposedly!) "higher quality recording (and would therefore provide less recording time)" than is "standard" mode. I thanked her and said goodbye.

Given that page 16 of the User's Guide for this product states that "long-play mode will give more recording time than standard;" and given that GE's web site states that "standard" mode provides 30 minutes total recording time, the young lady (who'd seemed barely able to communicate her thoughts consistently in English) was spewing utter nonsense, and I'd received no more clarification of actual recording time (in long-play mode) than I'd had when I'd originally emailed GE.

Bottom line, both GE and Thomson should be ashamed of their worthless "technical support" departments pertaining to this (otherwise admirable) product.


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On a related note, yesterday I noticed that my neighborhood Office Depot store carries the black version (model 29586FE1) of this phone; and on the product-description card near their display unit, "total recording time" was stated as "12 minutes." However, it's unclear whether that meant "standard" or "long" recording mode; I presume it was the former. Moreover, that card's information might have been incorrect.

In any case, if you anticipate receiving an extremely large number of messages, you might consider setting the maximum message length to one or two minutes ("four minutes" being the maximum available option). Via the "menu" key, you can set the "maximum recording time" (1, 2, 3 or 4 minutes) for incoming messages.

The User's Guide states: "When the unit's memory is full, it answers after 10 rings and announces, 'Memory is full.'"

Before leaving the general topic of "memory," I should mention that, although the User's Guide does explain how to disconnect the unit and move it from one location to another without losing any stored data (e.g., your announcement, messages, speed-dial numbers, or menu selections), no mention is made of how long the unit can thusly be disconnected from power. In any case, I've verified that it does reliably retain all stored information for at least several minutes. However, on one occasion when power was disconnected for several hours, stored data was, alas, lost. This suggests that typically brief power outages will likely cause no subsequent inconvenience; but rather protracted outages could cause the unit's memory to be erased.

In order for the unit's "auto-disconnect" feature to work reliably (such that the answerer will stop playing your recorded announcement if you pick up an extension phone), the User's Guide advises to "wait about two seconds after the system answers before picking up a phone."

If you subscribe to your telephone company's "caller ID" service, you'll love this phone's digital answerer in conjunction with its large-and-legible LCD display. This unit makes receiving, identifying and storing (and otherwise manipulating) incoming calls a pleasure. It can store up to 60 CID memories for later review. Once the caller ID memory is full, a new call automatically replaces the oldest call in memory. "NEW" appears in the LCD display for calls received that haven't yet been reviewed. "REPT" appears in the display for calls received more than once and that haven't been reviewed.

If you subscribe to your telephone company's "call waiting" Caller ID service and you receive a new incoming call while you're already on the phone, an audible beep will indicate the presence of a Call Waiting call on the line. When you hear that beep in the handset receiver (or through the speakerphone's speaker), press the "flash/exit" button to put the current call on hold and answer the incoming call. Just press "flash/exit" again to return to the original call.

However, I myself was initially most curious to discover how much usable information the LCD screen would actually display for users who (like me) do not subscribe to "caller ID" (or "call waiting") service. I wasn't disappointed. For, although I obviously can't monitor any "caller ID" (or "call waiting") information on the display, I nonetheless am always able to glance at the screen to monitor the number of new (or old) recorded messages. [Of course, to know the day and time for a given message, I must press the "PLAY/STOP" ("messages") key to hear the unit's pleasing female (synthetic) voice convey that information. After doing so, I can optionally press the "skip" key now and again to "scan" (at least the initial portions of) the messages more rapidly.]

Many users will appreciate this answerer's "remote-access" capability. In other words, wherever on earth you might roam, you can always easily access this phone's answerer by entering a three-digit "security code." [Note that the "remote-access" feature won't be accessible if you're dialing in via a "pulse" ("rotary") phone.] The default security code is "123;" you can change that by repeatedly pressing the "menu" key till a pertinent screen is displayed.

To remotely access this phone's digital answerer:

1. Call your telephone number.
2. After you hear the "beep" following the answerer's "greeting" (announcement), enter your three-digit security code. The unit will then confirm your input with another beep. [To bypass hearing the answerer's entire "announcement," enter your security code at any time after the announcement has begun playing.] The unit then plays a menu of "remote-access options" (and waits up to 20 seconds thereafter for you to enter one of them).[Menu selections can be made while the menu is playing.] The available remote-access commands are:

Play messages: "2"
Repeat messages (during message playback): "1"
Skip to next message (during message playback): "3"
Erase message (during message playback): "0"
Stop playback (during message playback): "2"
Turn answerer On/Off: "4"
Review menu again: "7"

Note that if (via the "menu" button) you previously set the "number or rings" to the "Toll Saver" option (instead of "1," "2," "3" or "4"), you can thereafter use "remote access" to find out if the answerer has received any "new" messages, and you needn't incur any long-distance (or pay-phone) fees in the event that no new messages have been received.

Here's how "Toll Saver" mode works:

If the system has received any new messages, it answers after the third ring; but if there are no new messages, the system answers after the fifth ring. You can hang up after the third ring and thereby spare yourself any pay-phone or long-distance charges. Neat!


Recording "memos"

The User's Guide states that you can "use the memo button to record a specific message for others who have access to the unit" and "the unit treats the memo as a message, as the display shows." I wonder how many consumers will actually avail themselves of this feature, but it could be useful for some. For example, if a close relative or friend dials your phone number and is privy to your security code for accessing this unit's (above-discussed) "remote access" feature, they could thereby hear any special "status" message you've recently recorded via the "memo" function.


Owner's manual

The sparsely illustrated "User's Guide" booklet is divided into analogous English and Spanish sections (each section comprises 43 pages). Generally, the manual is pretty straightforward and helpful. However, I could wish for more detail regarding maximum memory capacity (in minutes) for the totality of recorded messages. Essentially no information is provided in that regard, other than the aforementioned fact that setting the "recording quality" menu option to "long" (instead of "standard") maximizes the total recording time.

A sufficiently thorough table of contents (not to mention a less-than-comprehensive index at the back of the booklet) is provided. The "troubleshooting" and "general product care" sections are reasonably thorough.

You can view the entire User's Guide online (in English) via the following URL:

http://www.home-electronics.net/ge/pc/IB/29586GE1_IB.pdf


Miscellaneous points

An initial, irritating quirk. Imagine that you've just brought this phone home from the store, and you connect it to power for the very first time, whereupon the system's synthetic female voice audibly greets you by advising you to press the "menu" button to select system options... but, hey, she's "shouting" at you (i.e., the system volume is set intolerably high)! Don't fret. For mysterious reasons, the phone comes from the factory that way, and there's no instantaneous fix via the "VOL -" button. But here's something you can do to (pretty quickly) reset system volume to a lower level. Press and hold the "memo" button to record (speak) a brief message (which you'll be able to delete later). When you're finished speaking, release the memo button, and you'll see the "PLAY/STOP" button flashing red. Press "PLAY/STOP" to play your memo, and, while listening to it, press the "VOL -" button to reduce its (and, simultaneously, the system's) volume. Thereafter, there'll be no further "shouting" from the synthetic lady. ;-)

Like countless other consumer electronics products nowadays, this phone is "made in China." Nothing about its outward construction strikes me as the least bit flimsy or substandard. I hope and expect it will last for many years. [If any significant problem should ever arise with my present unit, I'll conspicuously "update" this review accordingly.]

This product's "limited warranty" is for one year, from date of purchase. In the event of defects in material or workmanship, a new (replacement) unit will be provided. To obtain it, you'll need to properly pack your unit (preferably using its original packing materials and carton) and provide "proof of purchase" in the form of the original bill of sale or receipted invoice; and you'll need to ship the unit to the following address:

Thomson Inc.
11721 B Alameda Ave.
Socorro, TX 79927

As the above address suggests, this phone is manufactured (for General Electric) by:

Thomson Inc.
101 West 103rd Street
Indianapolis, IN 46290-1102

Like most low-cost digital answering machines nowadays, this unit lacks any "phone-record" button; in other words, there's no way to record a live phone conversation between yourself and a caller. I frankly miss that useful feature, which my otherwise comparable GE model 2-9981B speakerphone/answering machine includes (and which has served me well since I bought it as a refurbished unit in 1996). Mind, that mid-nineties unit uses microcassette tapes, which often aren't as convenient as digitally recorded messages. For example, digitally recorded messages can be instantly "skipped" or deleted. That's obviously not the case with messages recorded on analog tapes.


The upshot:

If $34.82 can procure a corded speakerphone/answerer superior to this GE model, I'm not aware of it. The most closely comparable competing products lack this unit's large-and-legible (not to mention movable) LCD display. Moreover, the numerical keypad features laudably large, legibly labeled, stylishly sculpted keys, making dialing simple.

As a conventional phone, this commendable product makes good use of its LCD display when dialing numbers--perchance via the three "one-touch" or the ten "speed-dial" keys (in all, you can store 13 frequently used phone numbers in permanent memory).

As a speakerphone, this unit should gratify both you and your listeners. (Still more sensitive and dynamic corded speakerphones exist, but they'll entail steeper prices.)

And as a digital answerer, this feature-laden machine delivers all the performance--and then some--that you'd expect at this (or perhaps a considerably higher) price level.

As my foregoing discussion evinces, I keenly appreciate the well-conceived layout of primary keys and ancillary buttons making this versatile product easy to understand and operate in any of its modes. All in all, GE's model 29586 corded speakerphone/answerer strikes me as a splendid example of form following function.

Though many consumers will regard this (or any) corded phone as something of a dinosaur, its affordability and simplicity appeal to my frugal, Thoreauvian nature. Not only will this unit's most basic features remain functional during power outages, but also it dispenses with something I've long resented having periodically to replace in your average cordless phone: the battery.

Recommended: No