Complete project build instructions can be found here:

https://www.arctangent.io/build-your-own/

How it works

Banana Phone watches and saves the caller ID of incoming calls. If the caller ID is unknown to Banana Phone, it verifies that an actual human is calling by playing a song with a 4-digit code mixed in. If the caller successfully enters the code, the caller ID is saved to an "Allow List" and that caller ID is never bothered again.

Don't worry, it won't save blank caller IDs or suspicious looking ones like these:

  • all repeating phone number - ex. (222) 222-2222
  • non-standard length caller IDs - ex, 3333, 8599792664555
  • blanks caller IDs
  • "Unknown" caller IDs

Passive call blocking doesn't work. At all.

Blocking numbers after the fact does nothing to curb the volume of robocalls one gets, as they usually change the caller ID at random, making any blocked number data garbage seconds after the call is made.

Take back your phone.

Robocalls have made it to where people avoid landlines and answering the phone altogether because they are so inundated with spam. This guarantees only actual people can call you.

It has voicemail.

Banana Phone was conceived with normal usability of phones in mind, so it has voicemail capacity as well.

It's growing. Follow the project at arctangent.io

The Banana Phone was created as a proof-of-concept, and is currently being refined into an actual product and mobile app. Keep updated on the status and watch for my future product release!