Vol. 6, No. 1 Jan/Feb 1998	Previous Issues Subscribe to AT Messenger Download PDF Viewer
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Voice Organizers

Ed Salisbury, AT Specialist, Kent County ATRC

Voice Organizers, also called memo or note recorders, have become very popular over the last several years. The first memo recorder was sold more as a novelty item than as a useful piece of personal electronics. If all one needed to remember was where the car was parked while in the mall or a short shopping list, this was a valuable purse/pocket accessory. Although very limited in capacity, this simple recorder catapulted the advancement of digital audio recording technology into the 21st century. Many companies including Voice It, Voice Powered Technology International, Machina, Sycom. and even familiar names such as Olympus and Sony have jumped on the bandwagon to produce a line of next-generation voice organizers. With more features than early desktop computers, more recording capacity than many answering machines, and sizes small enough to comfortably fit into a pocket, these voice organizers no longer fall into the “novelty” category of personal electronics. Memo recorders are ideal for anyone who has difficulty effectively utilizing a paper “to do” list, as well as those who absolutely cannot remember verbal directions from a gas station attendant, and even, as the advertising suggests, those who lose the car in the mall parking lot.

Before purchasing a voice organizer, several factors need to be considered. In reviewing the many brands and models, one must take the time to ask the following questions:

How many messages can I record? Most recorders allow between 15 minutes and one hour of reasonable quality voice recording. Individual message length will determine the total number of messages that can be recorded.

Can I categorize the messages? Most machines allow the user to define categories such as home, office, urgent, and miscellaneous. Sometimes called files or channels, these categories allow for fast and efficient message retrieval.

Does the device stamp the message with the time and date of recording? This can be especially helpful when one is using the memo recorder to keep track of a “to do” list.

How is the machine accessed? Some models have easy to use buttons or even respond to spoken commands, while others require one to scroll through a series of modes to access a particular feature.

How big is it and how do I carry it? One must remember that in order to take full advantage of the recorder in all situations, it must be portable. Some easily fit into a shirt pocket while others can be carried using a belt chip.

Does it have a display? Most all models have a built-in LCD display. Some even include a back lighting feature for increased visibility in low light conditions.

Can the buttons be locked out to avoid accidental activation and possible deletion of messages? This is a helpful feature if the recorder is going to be carried in a pocket. Unfortunately, no one product incorporates every feature. Some include additional features such as a phone dialer or calendar functions, as well as storage allocated for expenses, phone numbers, and addresses. With added features comes added cost and generally added size and weight. To help with the selection process, listed below are several fully-featured models with their approximate costs.

Voice It VM-15

• 15 minute high quality recording capacity
• 22 minute reduced quality recording capacity
• 30 minute version (VM-30) available
• LCD display with time and date stamp
• 5 channels at the touch of a button for categorizing messages
• Skip, forward, back, repeat, and erase messages selectively
• Alarm feature for scheduling messages to be played at a certain day and time
• Stores up to 100 names, 3 phone numbers per name.
• Phone dialing capability
• Dimensions: 4.25” x 2.5” x .75”/3.9 oz.
• $69.99 (Available at most office supply and retail stores)
  

Voice It VR-1000/2000

• 50 minute digital recording capacity
• Slot for additional 50 minute memory cards
• 4 channels for categorizing messages
• LCD display with time and date stamp
• Insert and delete functions for editing individual messages
• Advanced recording and navigation controls including: play, skip, search and erase
• PC Link to download voice files to a Windows computer
• Dimensions: 4.75” x 2.25” x 1”/3.5 oz.
• $299.00 (currently available at “The Sharper Image” only)

IQ Voice Organizer 6215 by Voice Powered Technology

• 15 minute high quality recording capacity
• 22 minute reduced quality recording capacity
• 20 channels for categorizing messages
• Backlit LCD display with time and date stamp
• Calendar with 200 appointments
• Phone directory for 640 phone numbers
• Expense function with 12 categories
• Access messages and phone numbers by voice
• PC Link to download voice files to a Windows computer
• Charging base for battery charging
• Dimensions: 4” x 2” x 11/16”/3 oz.
• $99.99 (Available at Radio Shack and most office supply and retail stores)

Machina Cardcorder 3000

• 50 minute recording capacity
• 100 minute recording capacity on Model 6000
• 4 channels for categorizing messages
• Backlit LCD display with time and date stamp
• Skip, forward, back, repeat, and erase messages selectively
• Variable speed playback of messages
• Voice/tone alarm
• Combination carry case/business card holder
• Dimensions: 3-3/8” x 2-3/16” x 1/2”/2 oz.
• $200.00 (Available from Machina)
  

Sony ICD-30

• 16 minute recording capacity
• 2 channels for categorizing messages
• Backlit LCD display with time and date stamp
• Insert function for editing individual messages
• Alarm feature for scheduling messages to be played at a certain day and time
• 2-1/8” x 3-3/8” x 7/8”/ 2-3/4 oz.
• $129.95 (Available from most office supply stores)

There are many brands and models of voice organizers on the market that are not listed here. Be sure to do some comparison shopping before making a purchasing decision.