Apple's iOS 13 Feature 'Screen Unknown Callers' Shows Promising Appeal

Apple's iOS 13 Feature 'Screen Unknown Callers' Shows Promising Appeal

You know the annoyance that is robocalls, right? And sadly, it seems like the issue isn't waning anytime soon. But fear not, for iOS 13, our beloved Apple's latest operating system update, brings a glimmer of hope. Introducing the all-new 'Silence Unknown Callers' feature, which could potentially kick those pesky, unknown callers straight to voicemail, making our lives a tad bit easier.

Now, I'm not one to sugarcoat things, but let me tell you, I'm thrilled about this feature - thrilled. It's not every day we get a system-wide Dark Mode, but this 'Silence Unknown Callers' feature? It's practically a dream come true. So, what's the fuss about this new setting? Apple, in its usual straightforward manner, states that it's meant to combat spammers. When this feature is enabled, iOS relies on Siri to let calls from your contacts, emails, and messages ring through, while everything else gets a one-way ticket to voicemail.

MacRumors did a test run on the feature this week, and it appeared to work well. Zero rings from random numbers when the feature was activated. However, the site ran into a hiccup when trying to test whether iOS would recognize a number shared via email. But Marzipan, this is just a preliminary test, and it could all change when the actual release rolls around.

And the cherry on top? The FCC unanimously voted to allow carriers to block robot calls by default. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai wrote in an op-ed at USA Today that robocalls top consumer complaints each year, accounting for roughly 60% of those reports. Sounds like a great case for Apple's new feature, wouldn't you agree?

I for one can't wait for 'Silence Unknown Callers'. It beats dealing with spam calls between legitimate ones any day. And considering that tens of billions of robocalls were made to US numbers last year, I guess I'm not the only one excited.

So when can we expect this delightful addition to our iPhones? You can look forward to it arriving with the fall release of iOS 13. Mark your calendars, folks.

Now, for the juicy details:

1. To enable the feature, head to the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on Phone. Scroll down and toggle the switch next to 'Silence Unknown Callers' towards the right.
2. The feature works by automatically sending calls from unknown numbers directly to voicemail. If the call is deemed important (e.g., from a number that has called you before), you'll receive a missed call notification.
3. Be mindful that this feature may occasionally block legitimate calls. So remember to check your voicemail and missed calls list regularly to avoid missing important calls.
4. The 'Silence Unknown Callers' feature, aimed at combating spammers, is a significant step towards improving our future interactions with technology and potentially reducing the annoyance of robocalls by billions.
5. MacRumors' recent tests have shown that the technology behind this feature is meant to recognize calls from your contacts, emails, and messages, while directing unknown calls to voicemail.
6. As the FCC has unanimously voted to allow carriers to block robocalls by default, the preventive measures against these calls are gaining momentum, with Apple's new feature fitting perfectly into this tech-driven future.
7. When we consider the potential impact of such tech innovations, it becomes clear that the future of communications lies in preventing annoyances like robocalls and enhancing the overall user experience.

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