The high-pitched shrieking of dial-up modems, once the herald of a new digital age, now increasingly evokes a bygone era. It may even make some users feel nostalgic.

调制解调器拨号时如铺沥青般的刺耳声音，曾经成为新数字时代的代表标志，但如今也不过只是凭添使用者怀旧的忧伤。

youdao

Modems were invented to convert digital computer signals into a form that allows them to travel over the phone lines.

发明调制解调器是为了将数字计算机信号转换成一种允许它们在电话线路中传输的形式。

youdao

Similarly, Dell announced it will begin shipping a new line of Dimension PCs with factory-installed Cisco Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line modems for select U.S. West customers.

CNN: Comdex highlights: Day one

To demonstrate the potential, the company developed a "police car of the future" decked out with cameras, modems and digital video recorders.

FORBES: Technology

Efficient makes modems used to transmit digital subscriber line (DSL) signals over copper telephone wires, and the DSL market isn't looking good these days.

FORBES: Above the fray