New Security Enhanced Telephones to Prevent Spam and Accidental Calls
Through the years technology has advanced, and with these advancements have come new conveniences (take your cell phone anywhere) and new challenges (accidental calls, auto-dialing, spam calls, and more).
To solve this problem we challenged our engineers to come up with a solution to prevent accidental dialing, and make it harder for spammers to automate phone calls.
We knew it would be an almost impossible challenge, but immediately we were flooded with ideas which would ultimately lead us to the solution we’re excited to announce today. But before we get there, let’s take a look at a few of the iterations our team went through to get to this new, innovative solution.
The Mouse Trap Phone
Our team quickly realized that spammers wouldn’t be able to make calls, and power users of mobile devices could be prevented from making accidental calls through an innovative lock system.
This system would require users to take an additional step to ensure they intended actually make a phone call, provide a mechanism to significantly reduce the number of calls spammers could make from a device, and give phone call receivers a few extra seconds to make sure they really, REALLY want to answer their phone.
Unfortunately, after initial testing it was determined that spammers could simply remove the mechanism from the phone to render it ineffective, while testers stated that using the device was “painful.”
While an early step in the right direction, the team decided to take the lessons learned from the Mouse Trap Phone to create an even more innovative device.
Chained Calling Prevention Device
Our next attempt took the concept of a security mechanism for your device, again to prevent accidental dialing and give our users a few extra seconds before answering. However, unlike the Mouse Trap Phone we wanted a painless experience, and one with enhanced security to prevent fraudulent phone usage.
Learning from advances in internet security, including access prevention via certificates and or keys, we applied a similar concept — requiring a specialized token or key for device access.
While initially a hit with our first test group (the Mouse Trap Phone Testers), new testers found the solution to still be a little bit clumsy, with some users raising concerns about “vendor lock in.”
Phone Finger Guards
We realized from both of these tests that while we were making progress, we needed to take a step back and look at other ways to solve the issue of accidental calls and spam calls.
The team asked the question, “rather than focusing on the phone, what if we created something for the user.”
This lead us to Phone Finger Guards, a innovative way to prevent users from blindly clicking on their smart phone screens and making unwanted, unexpected calls — or answering unwanted calls.
Unfortunately, this solution wasn’t as ideal as our innovation team initially expected. While it prevented unwanted calls on smart phones, it also prevented almost all calls on smart phones. Testers reverted to asking Cortana to make the call for them — the only problem being that they were on Android and Apple devices. Needless to say, this caused unnecessary friction between Apple users and Siri, who shut down and went to stay with her mother after accusing her phone partner of cheating on her with another “sentient being.”
Finger guards also did nothing to prevent spammers and unwanted calls from devices with physical buttons.
The problem was becoming clear, we needed a way to prevent spammers from making calls quickly, a way to prevent accidental dialing while the phone rested in your pocket, and make it easy and efficient to answer the calls you wanted to answer.
Finally a Solution Emerged
After three attempts, 4 nights of no sleep, countless energy drinks, and a lot of thought (not to mention calls to relatives), we knew we had found the perfect solution. A device that not only met all of the above, but helped solve many other challenges — including phone loss prevention.
We could not be more proud to introduce, the newly enhanced dialing system built around our very name — RingCentral.
We give you, the “Ring” of all phones:
Unlike other phones, this revolutionary device helps prevent accidental calls by enforcing a swipe motion — however instead of being linear, it requires users to swipe in a curved direction — carefully verifying each number they select based on the distance of the swipe.
Or as one of our early testers put it, “I like that this phone forces me to think about the numbers — but it’s not frustrating, it’s like playing a game, almost like Farmville for calling!”
The unique “pick up to answer” device means that you can quickly answer your calls, but no longer have to worry about accidentally clicking answer for unwanted calls — or even more embarrassing clicking answer unintentionally when the phone is still in your pocket. Likewise the “put down to hangup” prevents accidentally hitting the hangup button with your cheek mid-call.
And unlike many devices, the RingCentral “Ring” Rotary Phone is difficult to lose, as it is connected to your location through innovative, cat5 like wires. Carefully crafted for maximum visibility and balance, it is also quick and easy to spot (no more wondering if it is under a pile of papers on your desk), and nearly indestructible!
The RingCentral “Ring” Rotary Phone also comes in a premium model for power users who need a little more “umphhh” and style with their phone:
It took several iterations, and a few calls to members of Generation X, but combined with new standards such as STIR/SHAKEN we believe we have come up with the latest iteration of smart phones and calling technology for developers and customers alike.
Look for early orders to start April 1, 2021 with phone deliveries starting March 10, 2086. Also be sure to look for our enhanced phone printers to allow you to share and print documents using the same premium connective wires that power our new line of phones.
Can’t wait for our future line of phones? Be sure to join our Developers Program to take advantage of APIs for voice, SMS, team messaging, meetings, fax, and more — and revolutionize the way you communicate — today!
