New Panasonic cordless phones can slow down voices to make them easier to understand

Panasonic announced new 5.8GHz and 2.4GHz Digital Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) Cordless telephone and telephone answering systems. The new line up features four-handset expandability, handset speakerphones, digital voice enhancement and improved, easy-dial keypads in a new comfortable handset design.

Advanced features in selected models include Panasonic's proprietary Slow-Talk circuitry that will slow down incoming voice signals by up to 30% to help make conversations easier to understand. Talking Caller ID phones announces who is calling from across the room. All of the new handsets will provide a clock on the LCD with alarm function and the 5.8GHz series handsets will have a large 1.4” LCD with a brighter white backlight that makes the screen easier to read. The Digital platform provides up to 4-way conferencing so that multiple handsets can be used at the same time and up to 3 handsets can join into a conversation with one outside caller and also allows the ability to Intercom between handsets. The improved keypad size is easier to use and the new handsets are designed to fit more comfortably in one’s hand or cradled on one’s neck.

Slow Talk, an exclusive Panasonic feature on several 2007 GigaRange 5.8Ghz models, may influence the way people listen to calls almost as much as last year's Talking Caller ID feature changed their "Should I answer the phone?" decision-making process.

Other Digital features for 2007 include Phonebook Sharing so that you can program 50 names and numbers into one handset and then transfer one name and number or all to another handset in the system, a three-color, Light-Up indicator on the handset that can be programmed to associate a specified color with a particular incoming phone number.

Features carried over from 2006 models include Panasonic's proprietary Voice Enhancer sound reinforcement and equalization technology, and Call Waiting Caller ID.