Recent software updates, including Apple’s iOS 26 and features for Google Pixel devices, have rolled out integrated call-screening tools designed to manage unsolicited calls. These systems prevent phones from ringing when an unknown number attempts contact, instead utilizing a virtual assistant to answer the call.
Upon answering, the virtual assistant prompts the caller for information, providing the smartphone user with options such as reporting the call as spam or requesting the caller to attempt contact again later. This functionality represents an evolution from older anti-robocall applications, which primarily relied on databases of identified scammer numbers for blocking.
The article notes that these new call-screening mechanisms aim to counter issues like robocalling and number spoofing. Initial assessments, including testing of Apple’s tool, suggest these features demonstrate effectiveness in a significant majority of cases, offering a potentially beneficial solution for smartphone users.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/we-finally-have-free-anti-robocall-tools-that-work-10288528/