Google on Tuesday released an updated version of its Phone app for Android with a new spam protection feature that warns users when an incoming call is likely to be spam. It also lets them block numbers and report spam.
The app is available on Google Play.
The spam warning feature works on Nexus and AndroidOne devices on the T-Mobile USA, Project Fi and Orange France networks.
"Most mobile numbers aren't listed anywhere, and so spamming has been [difficult]
Spam Suspects ID'd
The Google Phone app already offered Caller ID and call blocking, and Caller ID displayed known businesses."This update includes the ability to report spam and show alerts for suspected spam callers."
Previously the Caller ID showed known businesses through Google My Businesses, and "nothing about this feature is changing," the company noted.
Users already could place calls from Google Maps, but with the update, "a user doesn't need to open another app," Google said. "Just type 'locksmith' in the Phone app and the three nearest results will appear."
Early Reactions
There already are a number of complaints on the Phone app's Google Play page.
"Visual Voicemail is broken with latest update. Nothing is currently displayed in the tab even though the settings look fine. Rolling back to the previous version solves that issue,"
More Robust Approach
The new spam-blocking feature goes further than some other solutions.
Caller ID can be misleading, and call blocking "isn't very effective, given [spam callers] can use a variety of trunk lines, each of which has to be blocked to work,"The new app "would seem to be far more proactive and work more like email spam filters."
There are services users can subscribe to, such as YouMail, that will intercept calls automatically , provides this as a free service to get you interested in their other calling features.