Plain old caller ID doesn't usually provide enough information to be useful. Sure, it works when you recognize the number as a friend or foe, but when the number is unfamiliar do you want to answer? It could be a telemarketer or my long lost aunt Phyllis how can you be sure?

With Tele-ID, you plug your phone line into your computer then into the phone. The computer receives the caller ID signal from the phone company and automatically performs a reverse lookup and a google search on the number via your broadband connection, providing the results on screen before the second ring!
-- grip, Sep 09 2003

If the caller has blocked caller ID, or has an unlisted number, the things that commonly stymie caller ID, how is this going to help?
-- DrCurry, Sep 09 2003


[DrC] Block blocked IDs. To be nice the system could send a friendly voice message like "I don't talk to block heads. If you don't know know how turn off ID-block you can still reach me at 1-900-...., just $50 for the first minute."
-- kbecker, Sep 09 2003


[DrC] It isn't.
-- grip, Sep 10 2003


I forsee a problem with the 'reverse lookup' if you intend to power it with e.g. google - what's to stop the telemarketters setting up a web site with a name which has nothing to do with them but would sound like somebody who's call you would want to take? A solution would be a reverse lookup linked to the phone system providers (e.g. bt in the uk) which woud access the account holder's name.

Still a [+] from me for the seed of an idea which could develop.
-- dobtabulous, Sep 10 2003


Thanks.

Should've been more specific, but yes a google search _and_ a reverse lookup through various phone service providers websites (my 'local' company web site has this feature as does the general whois website.)
-- grip, Sep 10 2003



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