Instead of treating as a binary yes/no the question of whether the calling number matches something in Contacts, in cases where the number is not a strict match, display five (or so) numbers from contacts (or I suppose from some online directory or database) that are the "five nearest" according to some approximate string (or number) matching algorithm. Of particular interest of course, are cases where "first n digits match," as this is an attribute of your basic centrex or similar office telephony setups. Proabably use a different color scheme, formatting for inexact matches than exact matches. In the case that the first 6 digits match, the first 6 digits will be in boldface. If the first 7 digits match, that one would be ranked higher in the list.
-- LoriZ, Nov 28 2014

I was hoping for a more semantic fuzzy match. You don't get an actual name, but a vague description -- "funny looking dude, middle-aged, kind of hairy, about 5'11", walks with a slight limp."
-- jutta, Nov 28 2014


Instead of hoping beyond hope that someone new is reaching out to you, just accept that anyone NOT already in your contact list is spam.
-- RickRantilla, Nov 29 2014


I find not having a phone helps.
-- not_morrison_rm, Nov 29 2014


[+] and how about multilevel caller ID in addition

Toronto, Canada
Autodesk Inc.
Joe Blow

The lower levels are filled out only if available.
-- ixnaum, Nov 30 2014


Well, at least it's someone from my ex-girlfriend's neighborhood... [+]
-- 4and20, Nov 30 2014



random, halfbakery