Symbian Review

There are moments when you are busy, constantly on important meetings or taking part in serious discussions and your mobile is always ringing at a bad moment. Such situations happen for majority of mobile phone users.

But there is a solution: you can reject calls using blacklists software.
We prepared for you the detailed information about the blacklist applications, which have been specially designed to help you with rejecting unwanted calls.

The following applications were analyzed:

App name	Vendor	Price	Size, Kb
Advanced Call Manager	WebGate JSC	Buy $19.99	145
Handy Blacklist	Epocware	Buy $14.95	319
Interactive Voice Call Master	Mobisophy Technologies, Inc.	Buy $29.95	321
PhonePilot	Mobisophy Technologies, Inc.	Buy $19.95	283
Best BlackList	SmartphoneWare	Buy $9.95	267
BlackBaller Call/SMS Filter	Killer Mobile Software	Buy $13.95	386

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When analyzing, we compared different aspects and application details, giving them the corresponding scores from 10 (the best) to 1 (the poorest). We analyzed:
• Installation
• Trial period
• Interface
• Settings
• Help and Support
• Application in action
• Ringing signal
• Special features

• Summary of the test results
• Conclusion

More about our scoring procedure you can read here.

Installation

All applications from the list above are perfectly installed, and as a result receive the highest score 10 points.

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Trial period

Advanced Call Manager for Nokia S60 3rd Edition – trial version is limited to 30 incoming calls. The full version of the software is unlocked by a license file provided upon purchase.

Score given: 6

Handy Blacklist for S60 – this application has a 14-day trial version.

Score given: 8

Interactive Voice Call Master (S60 3rd) – New – 7 days trial version.

Score given: 5

PhonePilot (S60 3rd) – New – this application has a 7-day trial version.

Score given: 5

Best BlackList for S60 3rd edition – trial period – 15 days.

Score given: 9

BlackBaller Call/SMS Filter 3rd Edition Devices – offers a trial period of 14 days. After that time you should register the copy of the program, otherwise you will not be able to continue using it.

Score given: 8

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Interface

Advanced Call Manager for Nokia S60 3rd Edition – this application has a user friendly theme aware interface with a comprehensible menu. The main screen shows next list of buttons:
• Active Mode (allows to choose the general active mode of the mobile phone)
• Default Action (here user can define the default action for rejected incoming calls)
o Send busy tone
o Reply by SMS
o Mute the ringer
o Divert calls to…
o Answering machine
• Manage Lists (creating of new lists or editing, renaming and deleting of already existing lists)

• SMS Templates (here user can create SMS templates, which can be used for both default and custom “Reply by SMS” actions)
• Greetings (here user can record the greeting, which can be used for both default and custom “Answering machine” actions)
• Messages (for voice messages)
• Profiles (here user can save the current configuration profile, which can be used in “Locator” and/or “Scheduler”)
• Scheduler (here user can create a schedule for the profile configurations according to specified time)
• Locator (here user can localize the profile configurations according to specified locations defined by cell id)

The Blacklist option in the Advanced Call Manager for Nokia S60 3rd Edition application is loaded with options, including such features as automatic reply by SMS, voice messages recording and answering machine.

Score given: 8

Handy Blacklist for S60 – the main screen of this application shows the –no numbers- text inscription. Only after clicking the left soft key Options of this screen user can perform the needed actions.

Score given: 7

Interactive Voice Call Master (S60 3rd) – New – this application has a user friendly theme aware interface and the main menu, which contains such list of buttons:

• Profiles (here user can save the current configuration profile, or create new)
• IVR Scenarios (creating of new, editing and deleting of already existing scenarios for IVR)
• Managing Lists (creating of new lists or editing, renaming and deleting of already existing lists)

• SMS Templates (here user can create SMS templates)
• Message Box (for voice messages)
• Scheduler (here user can create a schedule for the profile configurations according to specified time)
• Dialog Monitor (the screen where user can see date, time and name of any action done on the phone)

Score given: 8

PhonePilot (S60 3rd) – New – this application has the same interface as the previous application:

• Profiles (here user can save the current configuration profile, or create new)
• IVR Scenarios (creating of new, editing and deleting of already existing scenarios for IVR)
• Managing Lists (creating of new lists or editing, renaming and deleting of already existing lists)

• SMS Templates (here user can create SMS templates)
• Message Box (for voice messages)
• Scheduler (here user can create a schedule for the profile configurations according to specified time)
• Dialog Monitor (the screen where user can see date, time and name of any action done on the phone)

Score given: 7

Best BlackList for S60 3rd edition – the app’s menu is represented by the Black list button (if activated it will reject only the correspondents listed in this list) and White list button (if activated it will accept the correspondents listed in this list only and will reject everyone else):

Score given: 9

BlackBaller Call/SMS Filter 3rd Edition Devices – the main screen of this application when starting it for the first time shows a –no lists- text inscription. To start using the application user has to click left soft key Options:

Score given: 8

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Settings

Advanced Call Manager for Nokia S60 3rd Edition – in this application user can configure the following preferences:
General:

• Auto Run – allows the user to activate/deactivate Advanced Call Manager auto run, when the phone is starting
• Show Indicator – allows the user to activate/deactivate the indicator icon on the standby screen
• System Application – this will ensure that the application does not get closed by the Symbian OS low memory framework or by the backup framework
• Answ. Mach. After – sets how many seconds Answering machine has to wait before answering the call
• Max. Msg. Duration – sets the limit of the voice message duration in seconds
Lines:

• Voice line 1 – specifies that the application will take control of voice calls on line 1
• Voice line 2 – specifies that the application will take control of voice calls on line 2
• Data/Video line – specifies that the application will take control of data/3G video calls
• Fax line – specifies that the application will take control of fax calls

Score given: 9

Handy Blacklist for S60 – this application allows to configure the following settings:

• Log duration – the time for keeping information about blocked calls and messages
• Add rejected numbers – if to offer adding unknown rejected callers to the black list

Score given: 5

Interactive Voice Call Master (S60 3rd) – New – this application allows to modify the following settings

• Auto run (allows the user to activate/deactivate Interactive Voice Call Master auto run, when the phone is starting)
• Show indicator (allows the user to activate/deactivate the indicator icon on the standby screen)
• Run as system app. (if you configure application to run as system application, it won’t be closed by system framework when phone memory is running low or data backup is processing)

• Watch video calls (IVCM will handle video and data calls if you enable this)
• Watch Fax calls (IVCM will handle Fax calls if you enable this)
• Local record timeout (the maximum interval of recording a local sound clip. Local sound clip including “Greetings” and “Sorry prompts” of IVR scenario’s actions)

• No beep phone call recd. (to mute the periodic beeps when recording phone calls)
• Local play back volume (control play back volume of sound clips when being played back locally)
• Verbose dialog log (if you enable this option, IVCM will record all detail events to “Dialog Monitor” view. Otherwise, IVCM will only record basic events to “Dialog Monitor” view)

• Prmpt. for billable evnt. (let IVCM prompt you a confirmation dialog before an operation that will cause a charge to phone bill)

• IVR settings (these parameters affect the way that IVR respond to incoming callers)
o Auto answer delay (the interval from the beginning of ringing tone to the time of IVR picking up an incoming call
o Mute rngr. bfr. answer (whether mute the ringing tone before IVR picking up an incoming call)
o IVR play back volume (control play back volume of sound clips when being played back to remote callers)
o Key detection timeout (the maximum interval of IVR waiting incoming callers to press a key to select an action from key tone submenu)
o Key detection retry (the retrying times of waiting incoming callers to press a key)
o Answering mach. time. (the maximum duration of a voice message that incoming callers can leave)
o Call transfer timeout (defines the countdown of per call transfer to be accepted by transferred party)
o Hangup after transfer (the maximum duration of a successful transferred call)
o Ringing timeout (defines the maximum duration of ringing notification)

Score given: 10

PhonePilot (S60 3rd) – New – this application allows to modify the following settings:

• Auto run (allows the user to activate/deactivate Interactive Voice Call Master auto run, when the phone is starting)
• Show indicator (allows the user to activate/deactivate the indicator icon on the standby screen)
• Run as system app. (if you configure application to run as system application, it won’t be closed by system framework when phone memory is running low or data backup is processing)

• Watch video calls (IVCM will handle video and data calls if you enable this)
• Watch Fax calls (IVCM will handle Fax calls if you enable this)
• Local record timeout (the maximum interval of recording a local sound clip. Local sound clip including “Greetings” and “Sorry prompts” of IVR scenario’s actions)

• No beep phone call recd. (to mute the periodic beeps when recording phone calls)
• Local play back volume (control play back volume of sound clips when being played back locally)
• Verbose dialog log (if you enable this option, IVCM will record all detail events to “Dialog Monitor” view. Otherwise, IVCM will only record basic events to “Dialog Monitor” view)

• Prmpt. for billable evnt. (let IVCM prompt you a confirmation dialog before an operation that will cause a charge to phone bill)
• Voice settings (these parameters affect the way that IVR respond to incoming callers)
o Auto answer delay (the interval from the beginning of ringing tone to the time of IVR picking up an incoming call
o Mute rngr. bfr. answer (whether mute the ringing tone before IVR picking up an incoming call)
o Voice response volume (control play back volume of sound clips when being played back to remote callers)
o Answering mach. time. The maximum duration of a voice message that incoming callers can leave

Score given: 10

Best BlackList for S60 3rd edition – this application has no Settings item, which is rather uncomfortable in case user wants to modify some fields.

Score given: 3

BlackBaller Call/SMS Filter 3rd Edition Devices – this application allows to set up next fields:
• Smart reject sensor (automatically prompts you to add callers that you manually reject calls from to your blacklist)
• Log duration (the time for keeping information about blocked calls and messages)

Score given: 5

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Help and Support

For users’ convenience application of any kind should contain the help file, not to mention the user manual, which should include detailed information about the application and its settings.

One more important factor is the efficiency of the support department. To check this, we sent an e-mail with just one question about the application on the mail stated as a support mail.

Advanced Call Manager for Nokia S60 3rd Edition – the application has the Help file, which is very comfortable, besides the Help file is available for separate app’s item, which means you don’t have to read everything to find the needed item; it has an e-mail (support@webgate.bg) to contact a developer in case of any questions or suggestions.

The support department of this application works efficiently. The answer to the question asked was comprehensible and quick in the course of one hour.

Score given: 10

Handy Blacklist for S60 – the application has the Help file, which is very comfortable, besides the Help file is available for separate app’s item, which means you don’t have to read everything to find the needed item; it has an e-mail (911@penreader.com) for customers’ support.

But it is not to the good of the support department that they ignore answering to the users’ questions. We’ve waited for two weeks but in vain.

Score given: 2

Interactive Voice Call Master (S60 3rd) – New – the application has no Help file; e-mail for customers’ support – support@mobisophy.com .

If you have some question about this application, you won’t have to wait long time for the answer. Mobisophy Support works quickly and gives detailed answer in the course of not just two business days, but even on Saturday.

Score given: 7

PhonePilot (S60 3rd) – New – the application has no Help file; e-mail for customers’ support – support@mobisophy.com .

It is very pleasant when the answer to the question is quick and comprehensible for understanding. 2 business days and the answer has been delivered. Nice!!!

Score given: 7

Best BlackList for S60 3rd edition – the application has no Help file, which is rather uncomfortable; e-mail for customers’ support – support@smartphoneware.com.

The support department of this application not only briefly answers the question, but also suggests online documentation in the course of one business day.

Score given: 8

BlackBaller Call/SMS Filter 3rd Edition Devices – the application has no Help file, which is rather uncomfortable; e-mail for customers’ support – info@killermobile.com.

The CEO of BlackBaller Call application gave brief, but notional answer. Furthermore he was the one who answered first in the course of one business day.

Score given: 9

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Application in action

Advanced Call Manager for Nokia S60 3rd Edition – with Advanced Call Manager user can organize one’s phone book into custom lists like Black (people you don’t like to disturb you), White list (important people which are “allowed” to call you) or any other custom lists (a very special custom group could be your family to which you can wish to send a personal SMS if somebody calls you during a meeting).

Due to the Help file the application is easy in use.

If user chooses Reject all calls mode and Default action – Send busy tone, then anybody who calls this user will hear just the busy tone. In this case user’s phone shows no information.

In case user chooses Reject all calls mode and Default action – Reply by SMS, the one who called will be sent a message, but only in case there is money on the phone, otherwise no SMS will be sent.

Thanks to such settings the application is very convenient and pleasant in using.

Score given: 9

Handy Blacklist for S60 – this app doesn’t offer different modes and default actions. You can just add numbers into Black list and mark/unmark them.
That’s why the only default action in this application is that the one who calls (and his number is in the black list) will hear the busy tone.

The advantage of this application is that it shows the number of the blocked calls and messages of the specific caller on the main screen right under the contact name.

The choice is not big as to compare with the previous application, but on the other hand it is easy and comfortable in use.

Score given: 8

Interactive Voice Call Master (S60 3rd) – New – the application is not difficult in use. User has just to enter the number into the managing list (this can be done either manually or from the phonebook) and for example choose the Reject black list profile. In case the number is entered in the black list, the one who calls from this number will hear busy tone. Lack variety of settings for users convenience.

Score given: 6

PhonePilot (S60 3rd) – New – the concept of this app’s functioning is identical to the previous one, as contains the same features, but is a bit primitive comparing to the Interactive Voice Call Master (S60 3rd) – New application, as it doesn’t contain the IVR possibilities, but just the Voice Responses.

Score given: 6

Best BlackList for S60 3rd edition – in this application user creates new lists (enters list’s name, type – black or white, correspondents, that is phone numbers and reject type, which is the only one – send busy tone), than the needed for rejection lists should be marked (user can just click on the list and will see the tick), then clicking the right soft key of the main screen user Turns on (or off) the application. The one who calls will hear just the busy tone. To see the time, date and name of the rejected, user can clicking left soft key of the main screen Options → View Log.

Score given: 8

BlackBaller Call/SMS Filter 3rd Edition Devices – having created various lists, user can enter the needed phone numbers into them (these can be groups or just a person). By marking the numbers user automatically indicates them as rejected. These numbers when calling will hear the busy tone (no more action can be defined).

To create a new list you have to click left soft key Options of the main screen and choose List → New. Having filled in all needed fields, a new list appears on the main screen. In already created list you can add numbers of a person or a group you wish.

Score given: 8

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Ringing signal

It is very important that the blacklist applications did not emit the ringing signal (short ring), when user receives call from the phone number of the caller, which is in the blacklist.
In most applications users hear the ringing signal before the busy tone. That is how they can know that their call has been rejected.

All applications from the list of analyzed emit the ringing signal.

One more aspect is that when making calls from Nokia E50-1 to Nokia 3250 (where the corresponding application was installed) there was a ringing signal (depending on the application 2 signals) heard and then no sound (that is no busy tone).

Then we repeated the experiment making call from Nokia 6600 to Nokia E65. The situation with the ringing signal repeated, but after the ring sound there was the busy tone heard.

The conclusion is that developers should elaborate the ringing sound removal. This would act in their favour.

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Special features

Advanced Call Manager for Nokia S60 3rd Edition – this application has its specific features, what makes it different from the others, they are:
• The possibility to choose the Default action for the rejected calls
o Send busy tone
o Reply by SMS
o Mute the ringer
o Divert calls to
o Answering machine
• Locator (here you can localize your profile configurations according to specified locations defined by cell id)
• Data/Video line (specifies that the application will take control of data/3G video calls)
• Fax line (specifies that the application will take control of fax calls)
• Hidden callers (hidden callers are those whose numbers cannot be retrieved and displayed on your screen when you receive calls from them)

Score given: 10

Handy Blacklist for S60 – the application is not so rich in special features as the previous app; the only is:
• Add number (there are 6 possibilities to add the number)
o From recent calls
o From recent messages
o From Contacts
o Manually
o Private numbers
o Unknown numbers

Score given: 8

Interactive Voice Call Master (S60 3rd) – New – this application has features, which can interest the user, they are:
• IVR Scenarios (shows a list of IVRs)
• Message Box (shows all voice messages that incoming callers left and recorded conversations of both parties)
• Dialog Monitor (you can monitor all interactions between IVCM and incoming callers)
• Watch video calls (IVCM will handle video and data calls if you enable this)
• Watch Fax calls (IVCM will handle Fax calls if you enable this)
• Verbose dialog log (if you enable this option, IVCM will record all detail events to “Dialog Monitor” view)
• Prmpt. for billable evnt. (let IVCM prompt you a confirmation dialog before an operation that will cause a charge to phone bill)

Score given: 10

PhonePilot (S60 3rd) – New – this application has similar features to the previous one.

Score given: 10

Best BlackList for S60 3rd edition – nothing to surprise users, simple and easy in use.

Score given: 6

BlackBaller Call/SMS Filter 3rd Edition Devices – what can this application offer are two options in the Settings menu:
• Smart reject sensor
• Log duration

Score given: 7

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Summary of the test results

Having analyzed all components and settings and given them the scores from 1 to 10, we have multiplied the scores by a corresponding importance factor in order to get the total score value of the application.

We have used the following Importance factor (IF) values:
• Installation: IF 1
• Trial period: IF 2
• Interface: IF 4
• Settings: IF 7
• Help and Support: IF 5
• Application in action: IF 10
• Special features: IF 5

The total possible score for an application would be 340 points.

Multiplying the score by Importance factors we have got the following table:

	Advanced Call Manager for Nokia S60 3rd Edition	Interactive Voice Call Master (S60 3rd) – New	PhonePilot (S60 3rd) – New	Black Baller Call/SMS Filter 3rd Edition Devices	Best BlackList for S60 3rd edition	Handy Blacklist for S60
Installation	10	10	10	10	10	10
Trial period	12	10	10	16	18	16
Interface	32	32	28	32	36	28
Settings	63	70	70	35	21	35
Application in action	90	60	60	80	80	80
Help/Support	50	35	35	45	40	10
Special features	50	50	50	35	30	40
Total	307	267	263	253	235	219

Test winner according to the overall application test is Advanced Call Manager for Nokia S60 3rd edition.

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Conclusion

As we can see the gap of the scores among the applications is not big. All applications deserve attention.
But still the winner goes ahead other applications.
The ideas behind the Advanced Call Manager for Nokia S60 3rd edition application are excellent. Flexible handling of incoming calls and good value are those factors that differ it from the others.
Interactive Voice Call Master (S60 3rd) – New application is not worse than the previous one, but still lacks functionality.
PhonePilot (S60 3rd) – New is convenient in creating rules in one profile. But the interface the same way as in the Interactive Voice Call Master (S60 3rd) – New application is inconvenient because of the great variety of options in the main screen.
BlackBaller Call/SMS Filter 3rd Edition Devices blocks most blacklisted calls and messages and is relatively simple to use.
Best BlackList for S60 3rd edition has nice interface, but because the application does not offer any settings and special features options, it is not very interesting for a user.
And finally Handy Blacklist for S60 application. Though the scores of this application are not as good as of the previous applications, Handy Blacklist for S60 has simple functionality and deserves to be taken into account.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, August 16th, 2007 at 12:00 and is filed under Software Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.