Truecaller today announced a host of new features to its popular Caller ID application. The update, dubbed as Truecaller 8 brings Truecaller Pay, Flash Messaging, Video Calling and more. Truecaller also announced that they will launch Airtel Truecaller ID in collaboration with Airtel. These changes were announced at the company’s first annual “Stay ahead” event.
Truecaller 8 Features
SMS Inbox
Truecaller had launched Truemessenger, a service which allowed users to block unidentified numbers and spam messages from their inbox. Now, the company is integrating the Truemessenger app into truecaller. This will allow users to block spam messages directly from truecaller. Apart from this, the app will also allow you to send emojis.
Truecaller’s new smart SMS features:
- Automatically identify every unknown SMS
- Automatically block spam and telemarketing SMS
- Block by name and number series
Flash Messaging
With Truecaller 8, users will be able to send pre-defined messages to users when you are not able to take their calls. You can inform them if if you’re in distress, you’re on your way, your location, or that you’ve reached home. It will also allow you to send emojis.
Truecaller Pay
Truecaller Pay is an India specific feature and will be available in India only. Truecaller hopes to tap into the newly formed UPI segment due to demonetization. The company has partnered with ICICI Bank to provide UPI access to its users.
Like other UPI apps, Truecaller will allow users to create their unique Virtual Payment Address (VPA) in the app allowing them to send and receive money from any Unified Payments Interface (UPI) supported bank. Truecaller has clarified that the data will be used only by ICICI Bank and Truecaller will not handle sensitive data such as account details, credit/debit card information of it’s users.
Video Calling With Google Duo
Truecaller will soon introduce Google Duo integrated with Truecaller to allow users to make video calls. The service will be launched in a few months and it will be permission based service. Users will be able to opt-in and opt-out at any time.
Airtel Truecaller ID
This is another India only feature. This feature will extend the caller ID feature to Airtel’s non-data users that use feature phones. This is good considering that a major part of the population is still using feature phones in India.
Truecaller will send a flash message to users with the identity of unknown numbers before they receive the call. This is a subscription based service. Truecaller has not revealed what the subscription fee would be.
“We have been able to build a mobile identity platform and ecosystem that more and more people are relying on a daily basis to build safe and meaningful services on top of it – and today we’re finally able to showcase the true potential of Truecaller” said, Alan Mamedi, CEO and co-founder, Truecaller.
