The recent message about SMS blocking not working under some circumstances reminded me of an issue I noticed for CALL blocking when the calliing number isn't provided by CallerID (restricted or anonymous calls). These calls seem to return a "number" of "-1" or "-2" which in theory SHOULD allow us to be able to block ANY calls that won't provide their number for screening, and dump those calls directly to voicemail. But this doesn't seem to work. Is this a glitch, or is there a reason for this? I don't answer any calls where I don't already know the caller is someone I want to talk to, so it would be really good if I could set it up that way. In fact, since my phone will do exactly this BY ITSELF for any call that DOES provide it's number, this is the only real utility this function HAS for me--yet it's the one thing I can't get it to do!
Ahh, OK. That wouldn’t bother me, actually. And for those it would, they could just not choose to put those “negative numbers” on their block list.
So perhaps the solition would be to implemment the functionality but with a warning about that (potentially) unintended side-effect when a user went to block such a number…?
That is indeed a part of the discussion that is going on.
The recent message about SMS blocking not working under some circumstances reminded me of an issue I noticed for CALL blocking when the calliing number isn't provided by CallerID (restricted or anonymous calls). These calls seem to return a "number" of "-1" or "-2" which in theory SHOULD allow us to be able to block ANY calls that won't provide their number for screening, and dump those calls directly to voicemail. But this doesn't seem to work. Is this a glitch, or is there a reason for this? I don't answer any calls where I don't already know the caller is someone I want to talk to, so it would be really good if I could set it up that way. In fact, since my phone will do exactly this BY ITSELF for any call that DOES provide it's number, this is the only real utility this function HAS for me--yet it's the one thing I can't get it to do!
My last few Android phones have had the ability to block calls from Unknown numbers naively built in, plus the ability to create your own block list.
I’m not sure if all Android phones can do this but this is where the setting is for any user wishing to check.
From the Home Screen, tap Applications, Settings, Call Settings, All Calls, Auto Reject, tick Enable Auto Reject, Auto Reject List, tick Unknown. Private, Restricted & Unknown/Anonymous callers are all treated as Unknown. You can also create a block list by Menu, Create.
Good post Rik55,
Though sadly on my phone this does not work. I get:
Settings: Call Settings: Call Barring Settings - but then it fails - then (I just ask it to try again) it gets through to the next screen but when I try to set "All incoming" it requires a network password. Seems a bit odd and I wonder if it is network specific. I'm on the Orange network in the UK.
Using Android 2.2 on a ZTE BLade.
I wasn’t sure if all Android phones had this. I’m also on UK Orange. My phone came sim free and unlocked for any network.
It looks like my phone has some extra setting. In Call Settings, I have All Calls/Voice Calls/Fixed Dialing/Voicemail. My Call Barring is in Voice Calls which can be used to bar calls at the network level. I also have All Calls, which has settings Show My Number, Auto Reject, Prefix Dialing etc. There setting are handled by android. I’ve only ever had 2 sim free Samsung Android phones and they’ve both had the Auto Reject settings (which is different from Call Barring).
Thanks for looking Mike.
Yeah, and over here across the pond we don’t have any options like that at all. Under Call Settings, there’s just Voicemail and “Other Call Settings,” which is TTY, DTMF, Hearing Aid compatible settings, etc. I do have the ability to send calls directly to voicemail through the phone…but only for a specified number, which of course is what these calls DON’T HAVE lol
Jim,
What carrier are you on? Sometimes you'll see different settings available based on what the carrier has chosen.
Rik,
Is your device unlocked or rooted?
Erik,
I’m on Verizon–and yeah, I figure that’s what’s at the root of this; there may also be differences based on the legal/regulatory frameworks in place in different countries.
–Jim
Very true.
Rik55,
Are you using a stock Firmware? Rooted and/or unlocked?
Andmike,
If you're rooted you might check out the XDA developers forum for the ZTE Blade. There may be a custom ROM you could use that would unveil those settings or something that you could customize manually since you have root access.
Erik.
My phone is stock Samsung Apollo GT-I5800 2.1 UK version (SIM Free) upgraded with stock Android 2.2 firmware through KIES followed by a factory reset. the phone isn’t rooted.
My original point was whether other Android phones had naively built in the ability to block anonymous/unknown/restricted calls using Auto List,
This function isn’t as wide spread as I’d fists thought judging by the request to have a similar feature built into NMS.
Regards,
Rik
Thanks for the suggestion Erik
But like Rik I had merely been trying to record the variety of options available through Android. I already have my ROM of choice and at present don't plan to change it for this feature.
However the variety of what is available, or not, through Android does imply that there is a potentially valuable feature for future releases of NMS if it could provide it.
Definitely some items to keep in mind. I'll pass it along to the team to see what they can find. If the block leads to blocking a skype call as well there will be some concerns by the team.
Rik,
Would you be willing to test to see if a Skype call comes through if you have the blocked setting enabled?