A new 5.8Ghz cordless phone with an integrated Digital infoGlobe caller ID. Take a look at the review of this item which is especially for geeks, or.. anyone who loves floating 3D LED messages.

Provided by ThinkGeek

Provided By:ThinkGeek
Retail Price: $99.00 - $120.00
Review Date:11/09/04
Written By: Rusty Newton

This is a new 5.8ghz cordless phone made by Olympia. They
have integrated their renowned, futuristic InfoGlobe caller ID
into a sweet looking phone unit.

Provided to us by ThinkGeek, king of geek and gadget sites.

In The Box:

It comes in a cardboard box.... Just kidding, to the important stuff!

Remember, Click on the pictures to zoom in!

The phone is packaged very well, highly unlikely to damage this item in shipping. Unless of course you were to air drop by Helicopter a killer whale on top of it. I had that happen once, seriously.

Now right off the bat, I have to say I never saw such an awesome phone. Talk about office envy, people would try to steal this thing from you!

The Precious Contents!

Heres comes with your Olympia infoGlobe Plus

1 x Base Unit /w integrated InfoGlobe Digital Caller ID

1 x Cordless Phone Unit

1 x Rechargeable Battery Pack for Cordless Phone

3 x Changeable Face Plates, (Silver, Blue, Black)

1 x AC Power Adapter for Base Unit

1 x RJ-11 Phone Cord (Typical phone cord for you non-geeks)

1 x Instruction Manual

Design & Features:

The infoGlobe Plus 5.8ghz Cordless Phone comprises of a handset and base like most cordless phones. The difference here is their patented infoGlobe Digital Caller ID that is built in to the base unit.

Close up of the infoGlobe unit

(Note: Contains excessive knowledge for curious people
skip down a few paragraphs if your not a Geek)
Notice the little device inside the globe? That is what makes the displayed messages or caller ID designations appear. If you look on the far right side of the circuit board you will see a little tab sticking up, on the other side of that tab is 8 LED lights aligned vertically.

When the unit is turned on, the circuit board platform spins at high RPM(revolutions per minute). A computer chip tells the LEDs when to flash in sequence to create characters or letters. The reason we see characters or letters instead of spinning flashing LEDs is because its spinning too fast for our eyes to keep up, so the trailing images left behind by the LEDs appear to us as words.

Theres another product that I found that uses similar technology called the Skyliner. Its a party entertainment toy.

Also nokia is working on a phone that uses this technology for writing messages in the air.

On to the other features of the infoGlobe Plus:

The handset ( With silver faceplate )

On to the other features of the infoGlobe Plus. The handset is typical in size for cordless phones. It seems to be of quality construction, no plastic creaking noises when you squeeze it.

Among its physical features are all the typical buttons you would find on a phone, also a backlit LCD that glows a nice shade of Orange.

Blue faceplate with backlit LCD on.

The handset recharges like normal by placing it on the Base unit.
It has visual and audible indicators that let you know the handset is charging.

The Base Unit

The base unit is very smooth lined and futuristic looking. Its also very practical with the buttons in a row right on the front, you use these to navigate the programming menu and check your Caller ID messages.

This really is the best looking phone I have seen in a while, Of course I am just a Geek who is obsessed with unique technology so thats only my opinion.

Before I forget and get stuck on the cool holographic looking blue caller ID display Ill least the features.

• Caller ID – Stores 64 records
• Message Waiting Indication
• Real-time Clock and Date
• Year-round Holiday Greetings
• Auto Daylight Savings Adjustment
• 6 User-programmable Messages
• 100-year internal Calendar

• 5.8GHz 40 channel technology
• Caller ID / Call Waiting
• Message Waiting Indication
• 3 Interchangeable Color Faceplates
• 10 Number Memory Dialing
• Clock and Call Timer
• Illuminated, 3-Language Display

Thats right it is 5.8ghz, so it should not interfere with your 2.4ghz Networking equipment.

I wont go in-depth on most of the features since they are just generic phone features.

On the next page we will take a look at the infoGlobe Plus caller ID unit, I have even included a movie of it so you can see the SWEET display in action. Still pictures just dont cut it.

(Click the Next link down below)