an electronic device and method for accessing remote electronic facilities and displaying associated information on a conventional television set . the electronic device self - configures itself upon power - up or reset by initiating a data call to a configuring facility . information related to available facilities and programming , autonomous mail checking is downloaded to the electronic device . the electronic device displays a menu including several user selectable facilities on the display for a user . the user chooses one of the options from the menu by use of a remote keypad control , similar to a conventional television remote control . the options available include printing , electronic mail and other news and information services . interfacing the electronic device with a stylus - type pointing device permits sketching and drawing on the television , including superposition of images on captured television images . captured images of graphics or text are optionally stored or forwarded to a user through a mail facility accessed through operation of the system . the captured images may subsequently be sent via facsimile transmission to other facsimile machines or receivers . the electronic device includes a speaker phone capability for providing audio information received over telephones to the television speaker . a microphone on the electronic device permits two - way communication . a menu item , selectable by the remote keypad , activates this option . the television speaker use permits access to audiotext and voice mail as well .