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AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Facebook's next idea could replace your standard phone app

It’s testing out an app called ‘Phone’ which will identify calls and block blacklisted numbers.

FACEBOOK’S AIM TO replace all your essential apps with its own could take another step forward.

Details of a new app called Phone were leaked and it appears to be a native dialing app for Android. The app will show information about who’s calling and will automatically block calls from blacklisted numbers.

The app’s existence, which was first spotted by Android Police, was confirmed by a Facebook spokesperson to VentureBeat although no further details about it were provided.

It’s worth noting that Facebook Messenger already has its own call function which allows you to call other Messenger users while Whatsapp is also working on its own version.

Facebook has tried being front and centre of users’ smartphone experience by releasing its own partnered phone, the HTC First, as well as its own home screen app, Facebook Home. Both failed with the HTC First discontinued shortly after its arrival.

Also, it has had problems releasing apps that aren’t part of Facebook’s desktop site. While Messenger, Groups and Pages has done well, original apps like Slingshot, Rooms and Paper (a US-only app) have struggled to gain traction.

Considering that there are 1.3 billion people signed up to Facebook, and 745 million are daily active users on mobile, it would have a good chance of identifying who’s calling.

Although if the app ever sees the light of day, there are many other phone ID apps out there on Android and Windows Phone to compete against, not to mention the standard phone apps that come with every smartphone.

Read: This person created a real-life version of Space Invaders using a laser cutter >

Read: Wikipedia’s longest-lived hoax has finally been outed >

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6 Comments
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    Mute Gareth Walker-Ayers
    Favourite Gareth Walker-Ayers
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    Dec 20th 2014, 7:53 PM

    “Please consider these six songs as an early Christmas gift,” …when you buy them with your money. Someone explain to Madonna that allowing us to give her money sooner than previously planned is not a gift, it’s a scheduling adjustment.

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    Mute Peter McGlynn
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    Dec 21st 2014, 1:33 AM

    It’s a gift to her….with interest!

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    Mute Mike
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    Dec 20th 2014, 7:43 PM

    Its really annoying when someone says “Happy Holidays”

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    Mute Lily
    Favourite Lily
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    Dec 20th 2014, 7:52 PM

    Since she isn’t Christian I don’t have an issue with it. She is speaking universally rather than saying Happy Hanukkah.

    I don’t expect anyone outside the Christian faith to say Happy Christmas or Merry Christmas.

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    Mute Dungeon Master
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    Dec 20th 2014, 8:09 PM

    Apart from pagans of course,who had Christmas hijacked on them by the Emperor Constantine,they can say Merry Christmas or Happy Christmas if they like.

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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Dec 20th 2014, 8:45 PM

    I actually do have an issue with it. All my Hindu relatives wish me a very Happy Christmas and Easter and I as a lapsed Catholic and brought up as a Christian have no problem wish them Happy Holi, Divali, etc. It’s about acknowledging that people come from different religions and traditions rather than trying to pretend they (the religions and traditions) don’t exist. Well, that’s how I feel.

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    Mute Lily
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    Dec 20th 2014, 9:21 PM

    I don’t expect it, its nice when it is done but there shouldn’t be an expectation. That’s unchristian to expect someone to wish you a Merry Christmas when they don’t believe in it. Happy holiday is reasonable.

    They are acknowledging it is a festive holiday but the whole Jesus being born on the 25th of December thing may be a bit too much for them to wish you a Merry Christmas which I completely understand.

    If you acknowledge their religion why do you have an issue with happy holiday, when it may go against their beliefs? Its contradictory.

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    Mute stephen
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    Dec 20th 2014, 9:28 PM

    If you just wish people happiness when u see em, it covers all the bullsh!t.

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    Mute Boyne Sharky
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    Dec 21st 2014, 12:42 AM

    Oh do the Christian thing, forgive them.

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    Mute Tweety McTweeter
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    Dec 20th 2014, 7:40 PM

    Artistic rape? Really?
    Hope she never has to discover what real rape is

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    Mute Davin Lynch
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    Dec 20th 2014, 7:43 PM

    She previously stated she was sexually abused back in the day. Not a fan and have no idea why I stored that information.

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    Mute Juan Venegas
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    Dec 20th 2014, 7:44 PM

    What about The X-Factor? Simon Cowell and his crew raped music

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    Mute Derrick Knowles
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    Dec 20th 2014, 8:22 PM

    Madonna was raped back when she was struggling in New York City in the late 70s early 80s, she answered that question when put to her by an interviewer back in the mid 90s, so clearly she has the right to use the word as a metaphor.

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    Mute Gaius Gracchus
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    Dec 20th 2014, 7:52 PM

    She reminds me of my Nan,bless

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    Mute Paddy Hannigan
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    Dec 20th 2014, 7:57 PM

    I was just thinking that it was a terrible thing to do to an OAP.

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    Mute Gaius Gracchus
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    Dec 20th 2014, 8:02 PM

    I’m looking forward to seeing Nicki Minaj push her around in a wheelchair in the new video,such a sassy granny

    38
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    Mute Derrick Knowles
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    Dec 20th 2014, 8:25 PM

    It’s a pity the album leaked early, not fair on anyone to have their work shoved out there before they’re ready to release it. Anyway the reviews are positive and as usual the comments above will be ageist and misogynistic.

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    Mute DeadlyMusic
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    Dec 20th 2014, 11:42 PM

    Oh please, the album didn’t “leak”. It’s all a really pathetic marketing scam for someone who hasn’t had a decent song in about 15 years.

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    Mute Fergus Flanagan
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    Dec 21st 2014, 2:00 AM

    Think about it like this. I never knew she had a new album coming out. I don’t listen to her music. Anyone that reads the news, regardless of their musical preferences, will now know she has a new album coming out.

    She could have just left them as is. If they’re not finished, they should serve as a taster for the full finished project.

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    Mute Brian Gormley
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    Dec 20th 2014, 9:04 PM

    I like Madonna but as the article says 2014 was a quiet year for her, this could be a publicity stunt

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    Mute Louise Lavin
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    Dec 21st 2014, 1:08 AM

    Who’s that young wan on the album cover?

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    Mute Mike
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    Dec 20th 2014, 8:50 PM

    @Lily she she doesn’t know what she wants Catholic to Judaism to Kabbalah she is now studying the Koran.

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    Mute Daddy De La Noche
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    Dec 21st 2014, 10:10 AM

    She is reading the Quran to understand the religion better not to convert you dumb fu€&

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    Mute Daddy De La Noche
    Favourite Daddy De La Noche
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    Dec 21st 2014, 10:11 AM

    She is reading the Quran to understand the religion better not to convert to Islam, you are really stupid.

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    Mute James Onedin
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    Dec 20th 2014, 11:30 PM

    Daft oul’ biddy.

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    Mute Charlie Mountney
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    Dec 20th 2014, 10:47 PM

    Who?

    Happy Whatever Everybody.

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    Mute Geralyn Early
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    Dec 22nd 2014, 5:27 AM

    Madonna, please spare us. I love your older music but when you portray your modern image as this person from ‘Tir na Nog’ then I just tune out!!!

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