Sockets are the two-pin type. Don't bother with voltage converters - they have never functioned satisfactorily for us. If you can find battery-powered appliances, make sure they run on AA batteries which are readily available in Germany and Austria. These numbers do not require coins at pay phones. There's usually one, all-night pharmacy in each town.
Pharmacies post a list on the door, telling whose turn it is to be on call.
The language of Germany and Austria is German. Most west Germans also speak English. You'll be rewarded for learning a few German phrases for your trip - Germans really appreciate any attempt to speak their language, even if you don't get it quite right. Larger towns usually have a Waschsalon. The Deutsche Mark, or DM, is the official currency of Germany.