NEC Corp has developed a digital multi-function telephone, the Dterm 210, the main feature of which is a much larger screen size than in earlier models: the liquid crystal diode display puts up 11 lines of 40 characters and it can display kanji text; the telephone has electronic diary functions, such as a time alarm, notice board and so forth, and sells for an optimistic $930; shipments are to start from October this year, and the company expects to manufacture around 30,000 units a year; the phone takes its power from the PABX, and so little installation work is required; it uses the company’s proprietary – but available – Open Application Interface.
