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AT&T Stops 'Time', Ends An Era

Posted by Zonk on from the at-the-tone-i'm-finished dept.

theoeag writes "Starting in September, you will no longer be able to pick up a landline, payphone, etc and find out what time it is at the beep. AT&T, which has had the service since the 20s, cited a lack of demand in the digital age as the reason for "time"'s extinction. Actually, the service had already stopped in most states, but Nevada and California — with their large rural and unmapped areas — were still holding out, should the lost motorist or weary hiker need to know the time of day. But no more! The "Time Machine", which consisted of two large drum-like devices that contained several audio-tracks and a quite advanced system for syncing up with the caller, will probably end up in a museum, anxiously awaiting the arrival of its cousin: The Pay-Phone."

6 of 359 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Inevitable... by Enoxice · · Score: 5, Informative

    I think you have an extra 'N' in there somewhere...

    NTP
    NNTP

    --
    Anyone else think the comments just weren't rendering right before they turned off ABP and saw ads?
  2. Re:How do you set your clocks? by glpierce · · Score: 4, Informative

    Try this: http://www.time.gov/

    --
    G
  3. Re:How do you set your clocks? by nairnr · · Score: 3, Informative

    All of the phones I have every had sync themselves up with the provider. Even when traveling around, it will pick up the local time without any intervention...

  4. Not dead yet! by p_trekkie · · Score: 4, Informative

    Actually, the US Naval Observatory, which maintains the official time for the US still has the voice announcer available over the phone. According to this page the numbers are
    (202) 762-1401 and (202) 762-1069
    for Washington DC and
    (719) 567-6742
    for the alternate master clock in Colorado Springs, CO.

  5. Re:Inevitable... by RubberDuckie · · Score: 3, Informative

    Or like 'ping 4.2.2.1'. If that server ever gets eliminated, I will be one unhappy camper.

  6. Re:Inevitable... by rwoodford · · Score: 5, Informative

    If you really need to hear a talking clock, call 202-762-1401. The service is provided by the US Naval Observatory.