Facebook Introduces ‘Hello’ Android Dialer/Caller ID App, Skips Lionel Richie Endorsement
Different strokes for different folks, right? Unlike Google, which tapped Lionel Richie to sing "Hello" when you call the number on Project Fi's "Experience" page, Facebook just rolled out a new app called Hello, but opted against any kind of celebrity endorsement. Of course, these are two entirely different things we're talking about here.
Project Fi is an innovative wireless service that could potentially shake up the telecom industry, whereas Facebook's Hello app simply tries to provide more information about who's calling you. It does that by tapping into Facebook and displaying expanded caller ID information, even if the number of the person calling isn't saved in your phone.
Caller ID already does this, but what it doesn't do is provide the kind of information that Hello does. Since Hello is connected to Facebook, when you received a call, you'll see some potentially useful information, like whether it's a person's birthday or a business call.
More than just a glorified caller ID app, Hello also allows you block unwanted calls along with commonly blocked numbers and send them straight to voicemail. You can also search for people and businesses on Facebook and call them with a single tap.
"So if a friend tells you about a new restaurant in your neighborhood, you can use Hello to find their hours, make a reservation and get directions, all without leaving the app," Facebook explains.
The info you see through Hello is the same that's available on Facebook via your Friends list. In other words, don't worry about your Facebook profile being shared with every person you call.
You can download Hello from Google Play.
Project Fi is an innovative wireless service that could potentially shake up the telecom industry, whereas Facebook's Hello app simply tries to provide more information about who's calling you. It does that by tapping into Facebook and displaying expanded caller ID information, even if the number of the person calling isn't saved in your phone.
Caller ID already does this, but what it doesn't do is provide the kind of information that Hello does. Since Hello is connected to Facebook, when you received a call, you'll see some potentially useful information, like whether it's a person's birthday or a business call.
More than just a glorified caller ID app, Hello also allows you block unwanted calls along with commonly blocked numbers and send them straight to voicemail. You can also search for people and businesses on Facebook and call them with a single tap.
"So if a friend tells you about a new restaurant in your neighborhood, you can use Hello to find their hours, make a reservation and get directions, all without leaving the app," Facebook explains.
The info you see through Hello is the same that's available on Facebook via your Friends list. In other words, don't worry about your Facebook profile being shared with every person you call.
You can download Hello from Google Play.
