Advanced Call Blocker for Android

Advanced Call Blocker v2.1.18 and Advanced Call Blocker Legacy v2.1.16

Updates

February 06 2012 Updates (Advanced Call Blocker Version 2.1.19)

You can now add Contact Groups to the block/exception list (Block List -> Add -> Contact Group). Contact Groups must be Google Contact Groups. Motorola MOTOBLUR users please visit the Contact Groups with Motorola MOTOBLUR page if your contact groups are not showing up!

Answer and End Call method will reduce the screen timeout after blocking to 5 seconds to conserve battery, then restore the users setting.

Also made a few minor changes to the applications verbage.

January 16 2012 Updates (Advanced Call Blocker Version 2.1.18)

Answer and End call now working on HTC phones.

New Feature: Preferences -> Use Service: New option to have a service run all the time to monitor incoming calls and messages. While service is active, an icon will be displayed in the status bar.

Update: Notifications: Tapping the notification will now bring you to the call history or blocked messages section depending on what was blocked.

Update: Cancel missed call notice will only try to cancel if the call blocker is using Silence on any phone or Send to Voicemail on an HTC phone.

Bug Fix: Fixed an issue with Silence when used with Silence First Ring

January 16 2012 Updates (Advanced Call Blocker Legacy Version 2.1.16)

Answer and End call now working on HTC phones.

Bug Fix: Fixed a bug where the app would crash.

November 07 2011 Updates (Version 2.1.16)

Preference for Country Code: Ability to specify your country code. The country code specified will be ignored when comparing numbers.

Improved range blocking: Add a number manually to the block list using * wildcard to block a range of numbers.

How to use Range Blocking
A range of numbers can be blocked by using the wildcard character *

There are four different ways to use range blocking.

1) A number that begins with certain digits: PREFIX*
The number will automatically be stripped of the country code that is specified in the Preferences.

Example - Block numbers that being with 800
Manually add: 800*

Sample of numbers that will be blocked:
800-123-4567
800-555-1234
1-800-123-4567 (As long as 1 is the country code specified in the preferences)

2) A number that ends with certain digits: *SUFFIX

Example - Block numbers that end in 0000
Manually add: *0000

Sample of numbers that will be blocked:
800-555-0000
555-123-0000
1-800-123-0000

3) A number that begins and ends with certain digits: PREFIX*SUFFIX

Example - Block numbers that being with 800 and end with 1
Manually add: 800*1

Sample of numbers that will be blocked:
800-234-2341

4) A number that contains certain digits: *CONTAINS*
Example - Numbers that contain 555
Manually add *555*

Sample of numbers that will be blocked:
800-555-1234
800-123-3555
555-123-4567

July 01 2011 Updates (Version 2.1.14)

Added Android 2.3.* Answer and End call support!

May 17 2011 Updates (Version 2.1.13)

Please open the app after this update!

New Feature: Added MMS Blocking - please note, MMS messages will not be downloaded or saved when blocked!

New Feature: Added a filter for International numbers - I.e. numbers that begin with the TOA (+) symbol.

Block List Updates: Can now block individual numbers with different methods. For example, you can send one number to voicemail and silence a different number.

Added an exception list, so you can tell the app never to block certain numbers. This is handy if you want to block an area code for example, but allow a single number from that area code. These is also an exception only mode, that will block all numbers besides those in your exception list.

Updated Preferences: Call, SMS and MMS blocking can all now be individually enabled or disabled.

Updated Filters: Separated call blocking and message blocking filters. There is also an option to use call blocking filters for message blocking.

General: Notifications and all lists will now always show the most logical name associated with a number (if one exists).

January 13 2011 Updates

Please note, Advanced Call Blocker is now built upon the Android 2.1 Firmware (as it originally was). This was a decision by Google to make the API level 5 obsolete, not my own. I apologize if you are unable to upgrade from 2.0.10 to 2.1.11.

New Feature: SMS Blocking - Many users requested SMS blocking, and it is now incorporated into ACB. It uses your existing block settings but needs to be enabled in the preferences.

* Abilty to block e-mail SMS messages, with an option to allow e-mail SMS messages sent by a contact.

* Option to save blocked messages so they can be viewed later.

* Also uses your existing settings for Notifications and send SMS reply.

New Feature: Long press on a block list number for more options. Single clicking still deletes by default.

* Edit the number

* Call the number

* Call the number as private (*67)

* No more main menu - What was in the menu on the main screen is now part of the main layout.

* Filters - what used to be part of the main UI has been moved to the filters section, and a new icon was created.

* Blocked SMS Messages - One tap from the main screen brings you to your blocked messages.

* New icons for Call Blocking Method, the allowed/blocked icons in the history and a new icon for Area Codes

* Even easier to block the last number, as it is on the main UI, and will even show you the last incoming number before you click on it.

Fixed: On some phones the buttons to navigate the Area Codes would clump up, this has been replaced a text entry that you can use to navigate directly to the number.

Fixed: Using Silence should always clear the missed call notification now.

Fixed: Remove from call log should work more consistently with slower phones.

November 22 2010 Updates

New Feature (Advanced Call Blocker 2.0.10 only): Send SMS to blocked number. It will not try to send a reply to an unknown/private number.

Silence First Ring is back to Off by default, since it seems that it does not work with some phones, namely Samsung Galaxy S w/ Froyo. Let me know if you have problems with this feature.

A few UI upgrades, making most of the lists in the app look more like the default Android UI (Call Log/Contacts etc.)

Time in the "Add from Call Log" window, and the time in the History, is now displayed as "x hours ago" where applicable (similar to default call log)

All of the loading dialogs are now multi-threaded, so the pinwheel doesn't sit there frozen.

November 14 2010 Updates

Bug fix: When the area code database was being built, if the window lost focus (i.e. user hit Home, call came in) it would cause an error. This has been fixed, if this happened to you, un-install the old version before updating, or clear cache/data.

November 10 2010 Updates

Changed Silence First Ring to on my default.

November 08 2010 Updates (Versions 2.0.9/1.5.9)

New Feature: Area Code blocking. By default, when enabled, it will block area codes that are not in service per the NANPA. This feature will only work with NANP countries (US, Canada, Barbados, US Virgin Islands etc. - for a full list check out the NANPA website: http://www.nanpa.com Also easily browse area codes, block an area code by clicking on it (such as 800, 888, 877 etc toll free numbers).

New Feature: Block invalid numbers: will block numbers without 10 digits exactly (only for us in the NANP areas as noted above).

Bug fix: Silent call blocking method with the silence first ring option was causing the call blocker unmute the call too early.

Since the above was fixed Remove from call log works with the silence option

Silence call blocking method will now get rid of the missed call notification when a call is blocked. The call can still be viewed in the history, or a notification will appear if "Notifications" is turned on.

Moved general preferences into a new window (Use Menu -> Preferences)

Clicking an item in the history window will now display the numbers contact info (if any) or the area code (once the area code database has been viewed or area code blocking is enabled) - again, NANP countries only for now.

October 24 2010 Updates (Versions 2.0.8/1.5.8 No Version Increase)

Bug Fix: Minor fix to a bug that would remove blocked calls from the call log by default (if the option was never explicitly turned on).

October 20 2010 Updates (Versions 2.0.8/1.5.8)

Users that download Advanced Call Blocker 1.5/1.6 and have a firmware version of 2.0 or greater will now be prompted the first time they run the app, requesting that they upgrade to the newer version. Advanced Call Blocker (original) is now built on the 2.0 firmware, bridging the gap between the two versions.

October 18 2010 Updates (Versions 2.1.7/1.5.7)

New Feature: Import and Export the block list - You can now easily backup your block list. From the block list window select Menu then Export to save your block list to the SD Card. The format will be | (pipe) delimited. You can also import an existing block list in the same manner.

Important: This is a more advanced user option, use at your own risk! Make sure your file is delimited properly! The application will not recognize comma separated files (csv) due to the fact that the comma is a special character (Pause) in phone numbers. Additional information/tutorial to follow.

A sample file may look like this (Wildcard N is supported):
NAME|NUMBER
John Doe|5551234567
Jane Doe|555-5555
Toll-free number|888NNNNNNN

An actual sample file can be found here: acb.dat

User interface significantly improved.
- All list text has been updated to bold one field for easier readability.
- Many icons replaced, all of the dialog boxes and many of the lists now also have icons (Add from Call Log and Advanced Call Blocker History).
- Some fairly useless buttons were removed (i.e. the back buttons and exit button).
- Empty lists now show a message instead of remaining completely black.
- Added a loading dialog to the Add from Call Log and Add from Contacts activities.
- Added a menu button to the main window to block the last incoming call, works just like the Widget.
Additional screenshots to follow.

Range blocking: You can now block a range of numbers by using the N Wildcard. For example, manually add the number 888NNNNNNN to block all 888* numbers. Or add 000NNNNNNN to block an invalid 000 area code.

October 02 2010 Updates (Versions 2.1.6/1.5.6)

Fixed a bug where block Unknown/Private would block calls with the + (international) prefix.

Updated the phone number formatting for the widget and notifications.

September 26 2010 Updates (Versions 2.1.5/1.5.5)

New Feature: Mute First Ring - When this option is enabled, ACB will attempt to silence both the ringer and vibrate for all incoming calls. If the number is not going to be blocked, the volume and vibrate state will be re-enabled. This should reduce or eliminate any ring or vibrate time when a call is bocked.

Improved the Add number from Call Log functionality. It will no longer list Private or Unknown numbers as -1 and -2. It also will not show *86 (Voicemail for verizon phones). If anyone wants other annoying numbers you cannot block removed from the call log let me know.

Bug Fix: Block all numbers not listed in your contacts is now working properly.

Bug Fix: Fixed a bug where the window title "Advanced Call Blocker" would show up briefly when using the widget

Few other minor UI text changes throughout the app

Removed delay option

September 04 2010 Updates (Versions 2.1.4/1.5.4)

New Feature: Remove from Call Log - Option to remove numbers from the call log that were blocked. Also, in some phones it may not remove private/unknown numbers. If this is the case please let me know and I will work to fix it! Please report any bugs

New Feature: Widget! - ACB now has a widget that allows for easier call blocking. Tapping the widget will ask you if you want to block the last incoming phone number. Important: This feature will pull the number from the ACB log, not the call log, so the app must have been running and been enabled the last time a number called you! To add the widget long click and hold on your desktop. Select "Widgets" then "Advanced Call Blocker" Please report any bugs

Added confirmations for deleting phone numbers from the block list

Updated the UI to include descriptions for many of the options

August 24 2010 Updates (Version 1.5.3)

Fixed a bug where if a contact did not have a name or number it would cause an error

August 15 2010 Updates (Versions 2.1.3/1.5.2)

New Feature: Manually add a phone number to the block list. Use Menu -> Manage Block List then Menu -> Add Manually

August 01 2010 Updates (Versions 2.1.2/1.5.1):

Fixed a bug where sometimes the contacts would be stored internally with a prefix of "1" causing the app to not recognize some contacts

July 23 2010 Updates (Versions 2.1.1/1.5.0):

New Feature: Call Blocking Log - from the preferences screen select Menu -> View Log to see all incoming calls and what action was taken on the call. For example if a call was blocked because the number was not in your contacts it will display Blocked (Contacts) and the number

Fixed a bug where if you had a lot of contacts (I mean a lot) the app would not block callers with no contact information

Fixed a bug for myTouch Slide where it would not be able to identify unknown calls

July 19 2010 Updates (Version 2.1.0):

Fixed a bug where the most recent call history number was not showing up first in the list

July 18 2010 Updates:

Combined private number/unknown number into one category

Changed the way the app determines if a number is private, unknown or restricted since HTC and Motorola have different interpretations of Unknown and Private numbers

Fixed a bug where Send to Voicemail was not working properly

Added an option to display a notification when a call is blocked

Add from Contacts will now sort the contacts in alphabetical order

Significantly optimized block code - less, if any ring/vibrate time