Ask HN: Would you be interested in a Spam-call Blocker for your phone?

#1

Post by kidlogic » Fri, Mar 27, 2015, 8:32 PM UTC

Would HackerNews be interested in a personal phone system that not only blocks spam callers, but also has pre-screening (e.g caller states their name before picking up phone), and working hours (i.e phone only rings at certain times, other wise goes to voicemail)?

Somehow my phone number was leaked and I am getting bombarded with spam calls. I am thinking of building a personal PBX system that solves this. Google Voice falls short and hasn't been updated in years.

Anyone else experiencing the same problems and/or looking at similar solutions?

Re: Ask HN: Would you be interested in a Spam-call Blocker for your phone?

#2

Post by dvcc » Fri, Mar 27, 2015, 8:48 PM UTC

Google Voice (yes you mentioned it but it still applies) does all of this as of now, so I don't really get what you want to upgrade? All there would be is a personal spam list that would get outdated rather fast.

Screening: https://support.google.com/voice/answer/115083?hl=en

Spam: https://support.google.com/voice/answer/115089?hl=en

Ring Schedule: https://support.google.com/voice/answer/115145?hl=en&ref_top...

Re: Ask HN: Would you be interested in a Spam-call Blocker for your phone?

#3

Post by smt88 » Fri, Mar 27, 2015, 8:51 PM UTC

> blocks spam callers

True Caller does this[1], as does Google Voice.

> also has pre-screening

True Caller does their own version of this, where they'll tell you the name if it exists in their database.

> caller states their name before picking up phone

Google Voice does this exactly.

> working hours (i.e phone only rings at certain times, other wise goes to voicemail)

Google Voice does this, too[2]. There are also many apps that enable this. It may be a default feature of iOS and/or Android these days, for all I know.

1. https://www.truecaller.com/blog/avoid-spam-calls-with-trueca...

2. https://support.google.com/voice/answer/115145?hl=en

Re: Ask HN: Would you be interested in a Spam-call Blocker for your phone?

#4

Post by smt88 » Fri, Mar 27, 2015, 8:52 PM UTC

> Google Voice falls short and hasn't been updated in years.

Please elaborate. I've used Google Voice for many years, and I've never had a problem with it. Hangouts integration took too long and wasn't perfect, but as a service, it's been reliable and great (especially for the price!)

Re: Ask HN: Would you be interested in a Spam-call Blocker for your phone?

#5

Post by kidlogic » Fri, Mar 27, 2015, 8:56 PM UTC

smt88 wrote: post #3

> blocks spam callers True Caller does this[1], as does Google Voice. > also has pre-screening True Caller does their own version of this, where they'll tell you the name if it exists in their database. > caller states their name before picking up phone Google Voice does this exactly. > working hours (i.e phone only rings at certain times, other wise goes to voicemail) Google Voice does this, too[2]. There are also m…

I used Truecaller and it's global spam block list had only a few hundred numbers on it.

I haven't been able to actually get Google Voice to prescreen callers. I know that they state they can do this, but haven't been able to implement it on my verizon phone.

Re: Ask HN: Would you be interested in a Spam-call Blocker for your phone?

#6

Post by smt88 » Fri, Mar 27, 2015, 8:58 PM UTC

kidlogic wrote: post #5

smt88 wrote: post #3

> blocks spam callers True Caller does this[1], as does Google Voice. > also has pre-screening True Caller does their own version of this, where they'll tell you the name if it exists in their database. > caller states their name before picking up phone Google Voice does this exactly. > working hours (i.e phone only rings at certain times, other wise goes to voicemail) Google Voice does this, too[2]. There are also m…

I used Truecaller and it's global spam block list had only a few hundred numbers on it. I haven't been able to actually get Google Voice to prescreen callers. I know that they state they can do this, but haven't been able to implement it on my verizon phone.

You have to go into the web version of Voice and then into your Settings. You can't set it up from a phone, as far as I know.

Re: Ask HN: Would you be interested in a Spam-call Blocker for your phone?

#7

Post by kidlogic » Fri, Mar 27, 2015, 9:04 PM UTC

dvcc wrote: post #2

Google Voice (yes you mentioned it but it still applies) does all of this as of now, so I don't really get what you want to upgrade? All there would be is a personal spam list that would get outdated rather fast. Screening: https://support.google.com/voice/answer/115083?hl=en Spam: https://support.google.com/voice/answer/115089?hl=en Ring Schedule: https://support.google.com/voice/answer/115145?hl=en&ref_top...

From my understanding, Google Voice is to be killed. They were suppose to do it in 2014 but have yet to phase out the product. I believe they'll roll parts of the product into Google Hangouts. Perhaps we'll hear of something at Google I/O

Re: Ask HN: Would you be interested in a Spam-call Blocker for your phone?

#8

Post by mirchada993 » Fri, Mar 27, 2015, 9:31 PM UTC

I never got a spam call, been using a personal mobile phone for 13 years. I would love an SMS blocker tho. I get tons of unsolicited, either scams or adds.

Re: Ask HN: Would you be interested in a Spam-call Blocker for your phone?

#9

Post by kidlogic » Fri, Mar 27, 2015, 9:58 PM UTC

mirchada993 wrote: post #8

I never got a spam call, been using a personal mobile phone for 13 years. I would love an SMS blocker tho. I get tons of unsolicited, either scams or adds.

Cool! I've only received a few spam texts. I'll add this as a potential feature.

Are the text messages from short-code numbers (e.g "3948") or are they long-code number (e.g "555-555-1234")?

Re: Ask HN: Would you be interested in a Spam-call Blocker for your phone?

#10

Post by kidlogic » Fri, Mar 27, 2015, 9:59 PM UTC

smt88 wrote: post #6

kidlogic wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I used Truecaller and it's global spam block list had only a few hundred numbers on it. I haven't been able to actually get Google Voice to prescreen callers. I know that they state they can do this, but haven't been able to implement it on my verizon phone.

You have to go into the web version of Voice and then into your Settings. You can't set it up from a phone, as far as I know.

I've tried enabling it from the web interface and, even though it's selected and my number is properly configured, it still wont work :(