That's great news for churches that want to stay in contact with teams heading overseas for short-term mission work. In the next couple years, e-mail and Internet functions should expand radically. It also includes calendar software for notes and appointments. While that type of phone is currently very expensive, expect prices to tumble as services increase. Palm Reading Handheld and palm-top devices are functioning more like minicomputers today.
Users can store contact information and a calendar, and perform basic word processing functions.
Most people think of phone-tree technology as a way to broadcast a message from the church to its members by preprogrammed, automatic dialing. Phone Tree MVP goes a step further with interactive features. At the end of the message, the shut-in can press a phone key to indicate that he or she got the message. After three attempts with no answer, the church's computer will print out a name and address so the person can be checked on personally. Not everyone is present every Sunday, and some can't be there at all.