RSS Feeds
Phones
Low-Tech Bluetooth Hack Puts Callers to Your Mobile Phone On Infinite hold
Posted by Kit Eaton at 1:45 AM on August 20, 2008
This video demos what an Instructables team call a "quick down and dirty hack" that uses a Bluetooth headset to prank callers to your mobile phone with an infinite hold pattern. It involves nothing more sophisticated than a cheapo Bluetooth headset, a few components, a modicum of soldering, and some amusing tunes and message creation. Your callers will then be treated to a "you are in a XX minute queue" message and your choice of irritating music. Now this wouldn't amuse me: It would piss me off, as I've listened to enough hold muzak for real... but your mileage may vary. Check out the Instructable if you want to DIY. [Instructables]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Joseph
Posted 2:08 AM 20/8/08
I think AT&T actually has this system in operation right now.
Joseph
bpapa9013
Posted 2:41 AM 20/8/08
While I don't really see the point of this myself...
I think that @Thud: took a very "get of my lawn" approach to responding...
I shall leave your lawn sir, and NEVER return! Good DAY!
/leaves
bpapa9013
Thud
Posted 2:37 AM 20/8/08
A prank that puts a caller on infinite hold, presumably keeping the circuit live, when you are the one paying on a minute of use basis?
Am I missing something or is this the mobile phone equivalent of flushing your money down the toilet?
Thud
BoinK
Posted 2:21 AM 20/8/08
I'm not sure what reaction I should be going with here. Do they want me to be impressed, amused, annoyed or what? It seems absolutely pointless and not funny in the least.
BoinK
EBone
Posted 2:20 AM 20/8/08
Would anyone besides Woz think this is funny?
EBone
Thud
Posted 3:04 AM 20/8/08
@bpapa9013: C'mon, it wasn't *that* harsh...
I should note that I actually think instructables is a pretty cool site, if you can get beyond the fascination with knex guns and can stomach the taxidermy video on creating a mouse with duck feet. I proudly wear my instructables tee shirt I won for something there.
Thud
rcast1986
Posted 3:03 AM 20/8/08
@Thud: Not if you live on the east coast, calling a douchebag you hate on the west coast when it's 9 o'clock for you.
rcast1986
rcast1986
Posted 3:18 AM 20/8/08
@Thud: Oh, I wasn't thinking telemarketers. My mind was on people I already know I hate. But maybe this doesn't work like that, and I honestly don't feel like scrolling *all the way* back up there, re-reading everything, *coming all the way* back down here, and confirming whether I was right or wrong.
*lays back down*
rcast1986
Thud
Posted 3:07 AM 20/8/08
@rcast1986: Er, don't they have to call you?
Isn't it easier, when a telemarketer calls, just to act really excited, say "waitaminit, lemme get a pencil and write this down," put the phone on the table, and go about yer business? Works fer me.
Thud
andy
Posted 6:34 AM 20/8/08
@Thud: You pay for incoming calls?
andy
Thud
Posted 8:34 AM 20/8/08
@andy: Most US rate plans charge for airtime minutes, whether incoming calls or outgoing. If you are from across the pond, I know the model over there is very different.
Thud
CYST!
Posted 5:54 AM 21/8/08
@Thud: exactly.
My musical selection would be a rick astley classic.
CYST!