äänipuhelin

Äänipuhelin is a Finnish term that translates to "voice phone" or "sound telephone." It refers to a device that allows for the transmission of voice over a network, essentially a telephone. While the term itself might seem redundant in the age of ubiquitous voice communication, it historically distinguished audio-only communication devices from other forms of telegraphy or later, more complex communication systems.

In its simplest form, an äänipuhelin is the device you use to speak and hear someone else in real-time, regardless of distance. This includes traditional landline telephones, mobile phones, and even voice-over-IP (VoIP) devices. The core functionality remains the same: converting sound waves into electrical signals, transmitting them, and then converting them back into sound waves at the receiving end.

The term might also be used in contrast to devices that transmit other forms of information, such as text-based devices like pagers or early text messaging systems. Therefore, when referring to an äänipuhelin, the emphasis is specifically on the capability of transmitting and receiving human voice. It underscores the primary function of audible communication.