Call blocking software for Windows Mobile Standard (Smartphone)

dogfood · 12-10-08, 07:18 PM

There are plenty of call blocking software for Windows Mobile Professional (Pocket PC Phone), but I've had a hard time finding one for WM Standard (Smartphone). So I decided to write one for myself.

- It has no UI. It simply reads a list of phone numbers from a text file to block.
- It is light weight. 52KB in size. Could be around half the size or smaller if I remove logging/troubleshooting capibility.
- It will not be kicked out of memory by OS memory management or killed by "Task Manager" type of tool, because it is not running as a process, but rather a thread within Services.exe. If Services.exe is killed, the device will reset. (Of course it can be stopped if desired, but not automatically by some tool.)
- It is wrote for Smartphone but also works on Pocket PC phones.

Would anyone be interested in using this?

Limitations:
1. It works for me without an installer. Does anyone see that as absolute necessary?
2. It works for me just to filter the numbers that I know I don't want. It does not drop the call if the number is unknows. It does not check for numbers in contact database. It does not do the reverse - only allow calls in the list.

If I have enough requests for addressing these limitations and have enough support for my time. I could consider it.

Thanks and happy holidays,

Dogfood

aedmunds7 · 12-11-08, 12:15 AM

I would be more than interested in this software to block unwanted calls. If no installer, how would you put on phone? Also could you create for java enabled phone s as well? Would be willing to donate some alone the way.

dogfood · 12-11-08, 11:35 AM

For no installer, I mean no exe to run on the desktop or cab to run on the device. Simply copy the files over to the device and run the launcher program to setup the configuration and activate the service.

The launcher program is needed to start/stop the service. It is also necessary to reset the service (not to reset the device) when the number list file is modified. It is not going to stay in the memory.

If people are interested in this, I would see it's worthwhile to create an installer.

*radimus* · 12-11-08, 04:55 PM

those limitations are fine, but I could see wildcards as useful.
888-123-xxxx

A simple accessory app would be nice to "add last incoming number to blacklist"

When it drops the call, does it send to VM or disconnect?

dogfood · 12-11-08, 06:21 PM

What do you mean VM?

It drops the call if the caller's number is found in the list. The phone will show "missed call".

I'm trying to put up an package, especially an app that allows you to start/stop the service, specify the call block list file location, and enable/disable logging. When this is done. It will be usable.

I'll throw in other enhancement features in later.

Cheers.

*radimus* · 12-12-08, 07:03 AM

VoiceMail. Some of the call blockers will dump the call, some just prevent the phone from answering, which makes the call go to voicemail.

If the prog doesn't need to be installed, just an exe to run, then the list should just be in the prog dir, especially if the app will run from a storage card.

If the app blocks the call because the number is blacklisted, it would be best if there was no "Missed call" alert... I'd not even want to know they called. But the app should log all denied call actions.

dogfood · 12-12-08, 11:40 AM

Some good points here. Thanks, radimus.

When a call is received and you press the "Reject" button. Does that call get to voice mail? I don't know, but my tool does just that. This is not a server based software that can block on the carrier side. So I'm afraid there's nothing I can do to prevent the call from going to VM, unless I make it answer the call and then hang up immediately. But that could cost air time. To me, I don't want to pay for some spammers calling me. It could still cost you air time if they leave voice message. But if that's how carriers charge people, well...

The program is not an exe (the configuration tool is and can be run from anywhere on the device). It is loaded by WM services and runs within the WM services process. That's why it's light weight and cannot be scheduled out by memory managerment.

To keep it light weight, I prefer not to complicate it by interfacing with "call history" database to make it not being shown for "missed call"; by logging in different database/file and creating a different UI to view the logged data. I could see your point here, though.

dogfood · 12-16-08, 11:58 PM

Hi aedmunds7 and radiums,

Sounds like not many people are interested in this. So I'm not going to work much further. If you are still interested, I'll send it to you two as is. Please send me a personal message with your email address where I can email you the package.

eburgbluegirl · 12-18-08, 01:32 PM

I would be VERY interested in this software and would donate as well. Having an install program or at least instructions onto how to get it onto the phone would be great! I've had a horrible time with other programs because I am not a programmer, but simply a woman being stalked and tired of the phone ringing.

darkbreed · 12-31-08, 09:26 AM

Dude, if you build it they will come. i would love to give it a go, but i think you would need some kind of ui. Just so you know, there are a few already out there.

1. Call firewall 1.4 - freeware, have not tried it yet, just downloaded it today. Smartphone-freeware link is broken but you can get it here.
Call Firewall + SMS Blocker

2. Photo Contacts Pro $24.99 has a call block feature included, have not tried it.

3. Call Block 1.17 - $9.95 shareware
Call Block for Smartphone on Smartphone.net

Has a very annoying series of nag messages, it even created a nag appointment.

Had problems on my blackjack II, after blocking a few calls it would switch my phone to no service and the only way to fix it was to reboot.

4. Call Filter - freeware, have not tried it, still says beta since 2006.
Teog Download PageCallFilter