Death to Voicemail! New Technologies Replace What Was Once High-Tech

It’s so annoying. First, you realize you missed the call. Then you have to call your voicemail. Next you have to listen to the message, which is usually about something that occurred two weeks ago. Lastly, you have to delete the message just to start all over again in a few days.

In this age of modern technology, voicemail is quickly becoming a thing of the past. With the rise of texting, people want instant communication, and playing phone tag just leads to extreme frustration. IMing will get you the message sooner.

uReach Technologies, which operates voice messaging systems, estimates that 20% of all messages left are never listened to. That is because of the seven step process to retrieve it, not including the hassle to write down the number and respond.

In contrast, texting or email is a one step process with instant gratification. Email and texting also make it easy to save new contacts and be able to refer back to information with ease.

“Well, voicemails are like lectures… Really boring,” said Bill Davenport 11, “I don’t really like to answer my phone at all, and I usually just delete my voicemails without listening to them.”

The New York Times recently reported on the anti-voicemail phenomenon, and came back with some telling statistics. 91% of people under 30 respond to text messages within the hour, and are 4 times more likely to respond to texts than voicemail within minutes of receiving the message. As seen in the past, young people are the driving force behind this new trend.

Some companies have latched on to consumer frustration and come out with products that make voicemails easier to listen to and respond. For example, on the iPhone, Apple developed a software program that allows you to visually pick whose message you want to listen to and in what order. A British company named Spinvox will translate voicemail into email or text message and send it directly to your phone or computer. 

However, despite all the fuss, some people still have no problem with voicemail, seeing it as a more personal form of communication.

“I like voicemail, personally,” said J. T. Leeper 11, “It’s a convenience in case people can’t text. I like people to know I can call them and talk to them.”

So while voicemail may not be going extinct, it’s fast on its way to becoming an endangered species.