Automated message vs. pre-recorded message

[pouretron]

What is the difference between an "automated message" and "pre-recorded message"? Such as me making a phone call, no one answers the phone and I hear a message played on the phone.


Or is both really the same thing? I always thought both have the same meaning, but I would like to hear what others have to say.

 

[Egmont]

To me, prerecorded means that you hear a single message. Everyone hears the same message. This is how the typical answering machine or home voice mail service works.

An automated message suggests that there is some programming logic involved: "For English, press 1, for Spanish, press 2, for Klingon, press 3;" followed by "If you want to schedule an appointment, press 1; if you want to confirm an existing appointment, press 2; if you want to throw this machine out the window, press 3."

 

[pouretron]

To me, prerecorded means that you hear a single message. Everyone hears the same message. This is how the typical answering machine or home voice mail service works.

An automated message suggests that there is some programming logic involved: "For English, press 1, for Spanish, press 2, for Klingon, press 3;" followed by "If you want to schedule an appointment, press 1; if you want to confirm an existing appointment, press 2; if you want to throw this machine out the window, press 3."

Thanks for your input and I think you're exactly correct.