Android KitKat Adds Caller ID for Unknown Numbers
- Tuesday, November 5th, 2013
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When Android 4.4 (KitKat) was released last week, Google promised an updated Phone app for making and receiving calls – which often prove the weakest part of a smartphones functionality.
One of the most interesting additions that has emerged now KitKat is out in the wild is the way Googles own listings are tied up to the app. Users can search for numbers that arent in their contact list, and theres also a caller ID feature to help identify unknown numbers. Both functions pull phone numbers from nearby Google Places listings, as well as the users Google Apps account. 
But one feature, due to arrive in early 2014, could prove controversial: caller ID for other people, which will match their numbers against a Google profile. Its an opt-out process, and will only affect people whove tied their phone number with their account, but its not hard to imagine a negative reaction among the privacy-sensitive public.
