Microsoft reportedly tests an Android dialer app, may launch in December

By David Curry October 15, 2015

Android 6.0 Marshmallow — Jeffrey Van Camp/Digital Trends

Microsoft is continuing its “platform agnostic” approach under the leadership of Satya Nadella, apparently testing a new dialer app for Android in India.

The Skype team is reportedly working on the dialer, according to Gadgets 360, infusing the communications platform with regular calling features. Users will be able to call over 2G or 3G networks, and should a release outside of India happen, 4G LTE may be added to the cellular options. Regular calling options are available, and users can warn recipients about calls over cellular before picking up.

The interface for the dialer is very reminiscent of Skype, with an option to invite contacts to Skype for free calls, and the big green call button. Similar to the TrueCaller app, Microsoft will offer ways to block calls from telemarketers and spammers. These numbers will be put into a database, though we’re not sure how Microsoft will filter and decide which phone calls to immediately block.

dialer_microsoft_1 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Users will be able to look up people, offices, restaurants, and public service numbers through a search menu inside the dialer. Google recently added that to Android’s dialer, letting users tap into the search platform without moving out of the dialer.

Microsoft seems to be vying for more power on the Android ecosystem, already launching a sleek email client called Send, the Translator app, and Arrow Launcher on the platform. The dialer is another step in bringing a collection of basic apps to Android, similar to Facebook Home‘s attempt to change the Android ecosystem to all social apps.

It will apparently launch on Android in December, with a public beta in November to get people involved. For Windows 10 Mobile and Windows Phone 8.1 owners, you will have to wait until 2016 before getting the dialer, according to the report.

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