YSK: Commas can be used in phone numbers to automatically input automated menu options

posted 2 years ago

klieg2323@lemmy.piperservers.net

For instance, I’m on Jury Duty in the US this week. Kinda a freebie but I still have to call in and input my “ID” number, birthday, and zip code before entering phone tree options to hear my summons status. So I saved a contact in my phone for the jury hotline with the main number, my Id number, birthday, zip code, and menu option numbers all separated by a comma. Now when I dial using the saved contact, it will automatically enter everything in and I don’t have to fumble around and spend unneeded time to hear if I have to report.

This can easily be adapted for any automated phone system that you call frequently although you’ll have the best results when you have to enter in a long account number like at a bank.

YYSK: It’s a huge timesaver in the age of digital automation to use your phone to navigate phone tree menus

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[ - ]

xale@vlemmy.net

144 points

2 years ago

Caveat emptor: the commas just insert pauses - there isn’t any sort of “synchronization” with the system on the other end, so if the timing is off, this may not do the right thing.

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Confetti Camouflage@pawb.social

55 points

2 years ago

Thanks, this is kind of a huge detail that was left out.

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Golfnbrew@lemmy.world

29 points

2 years ago

Yeah, back in the day of dial-up connections, we used to insert two commas

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Rozz@lemmy.sdf.org

17 points

2 years ago

Yes, you have to test it. Sometimes two or more commas work best depending on the system.

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BarqsHasBite@lemmy.ca

10 points

2 years ago

So maybe 2 or 3 commas after the phone number, so the system can pick up the phone?

How many seconds pause is a comma?

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preciouspupp@sopuli.xyz

16 points

2 years ago

Some source suggested around 2 seconds.

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Rozz@lemmy.sdf.org

3 points

2 years ago

I forget but you can “hear” the pause and when it dials the next number. It didn’t feel especially long

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billygoat@lemmy.fmhy.ml

8 points

2 years ago

Yep, you’d see this used most often with fax machines if the receiver was an IVR.

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WhatASave@lemmy.world

54 points

2 years ago

Having a Pixel phone is always so great for calling these types of numbers. If it’s a popular enough number, it will show on the screen like text messages of all the # options as soon as it connects if it knows it. If it doesn’t it will still display voice to text so you don’t have to try and remember the best option. It will even “hold” for you and when someone picks up on the business’s end it will let them know you’ll pick up in a second and notify you. Sometimes it will even have info on the current average wait time.

It’s made calling companies so much nicer.

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PixelPassport@chat.maiion.com

12 points

2 years ago

That and the call screening! Anyone not in my contacts gets to talk to the Google AI, haven’t been bothered by spam calls in years!

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Xylight (photon dev)@lemmy.world

10 points

2 years ago

It’s funny to read the transcripts of my scam calls “helo this is Amazon we want to confirm order of appel macbook pro for 195,824$ please confirm thank you”

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😈MedicPig🐷BabySaver😈@lemm.ee

4 points

2 years ago

Oh yes, I use ‘hold’ feature often. Good stuff.

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low_bass2@lemmygrad.ml

2 points

2 years ago

Deleted by creator

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KuroJ@lemmy.world

1 point

2 years ago

May I ask what pixel do you have? I’ve been on the fence for a long time about buying one and I’m interested in those features you mentioned, but I’ve heard they have some issues such as overheating and bad battery life, at least for the 6.

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WhatASave@lemmy.world

1 point

2 years ago

I’m on a Pixel 7 Pro. I really enjoy it. The camera is amazing and a lot of the Google features are really handy. Handy enough that it will be difficult to go with another brand I think.

It is also nice getting all of the newest Google features as they come out too! Though I do usually try and change manufacturers every time I get a new phone. I like trying new stuff out though.

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bdonvr@thelemmy.club

53 points

2 years ago

You should mention that the commas just make the phone wait a second or two before continuing dialing.

For my work I have to press “1” then the extension number. But you have to wait for an opening message before it will allow you to press “1”

My contact for my workplace is <phone number>,1,<extension>

You’ll have to do some experimenting to get the delay right.

But now I can call work handsfree.

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JshKlsn@lemmy.ml

20 points

2 years ago

With every answering system having a 65 hour long COVID policy update added to their intro in both English and French (Canadian here), my number would have to look like

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,1

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usualsuspect191@lemmy.ca

10 points

2 years ago

I believe a semi-colon means your phone waits to send the next string of numbers until you tell it to so you can still have everything queued up and just listen instead of trying to pre-program the timing

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Bazoogle@lemmy.world

4 points

2 years ago

Can you put multiple commas in a row for a longer wait?

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Clutch@lemmy.world

6 points

2 years ago

Yes. Usually 1-2s per comma.

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bdonvr@thelemmy.club

3 points

2 years ago

Yep!

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JshKlsn@lemmy.ml

3 points

2 years ago

With every answering system having a 65 hour long COVID policy update added to their intro in both English and French (Canadian here), my number would have to look like

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Rentlar@lemmy.ca

51 points

2 years ago

For the Android dialer, hold the star (*) key to input the comma into your number.

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DampCanary@lemmy.world

14 points

2 years ago

wow,

it poped hamburger menu next to it and offered to add 2 sec pause(,) or wait(;).

tnx

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YSK: Commas can be used in phone numbers to automatically input automated menu options

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