Sure, you see people's numbers, but not their name, when they call you. What if it's a telemarketer? That's Privus's pitch. Also, they claim their app actually delivers the caller name "nearly twice as often" as the lame one you have on your landline.

You have to leave it running constantly, and it curiously says in the description "Privus Mobile delivers names after call completion or if you miss the call for BlackBerry (RIM) devices." Uh, doesn't that defeat the whole point of this pricey caller ID? To know whether or not I should miss the call and let it fall into the inescapable abyss of voicemail or pick it up?

Update: Privus explains that it's "due to BlackBerry's lack of support for simultaneous data voice. Although incoming calls use voice capabilities, the Privus Mobile application utilizes data capabilities to ping its database and deliver comprehensive caller information to the handheld. BlackBerries are the only Privus Mobile-compatible devices that receive the caller information post-call." It's real-time w/ Symbian and Windows Mobile.

Our attempts to run the free trial failed multiple times, and it asked me to pay to upgrade right off the bat. So maybe it's more like a "cheap trial." [Privus Mobile]

It's actually a fairly simple procedure. TrapCall reroutes unanswered blocked calls through a 1-800 number then back to your voicemail. Since anonymity is denied to 1-800 numbers, TrapCall simply picks up the number as the data moves through their servers. According to a Wired test, the rerouting process only took about 6 seconds on AT&T—and during that time all the caller hears is standard ringing.

TrapCall's basic unmasking service is free, and includes the option of blacklisting unwanted callers by phone number. It also allows you to listen to your voicemail over the web. It's currently available to AT&T and T-Mobile subscribers, with support for the other major carriers due within weeks, says TelTech president Meir Cohen.

For a $10 upgrade to "Mouse Trap" service, users can receive transcripts of voicemail messages and can, in some cases, send text messages with the phone number of the caller. A $25 "Bear Trap" upgrade allows you to record phone calls and receive text messages with the billing name and street address of your caller. Amusingly enough, the only way to truly protect your phone number from TrapCall is by signing up for their SpoofCard service—it allows you to display a number of your choosing on a Caller ID.

Obviously, this will generate serious privacy concerns. On one hand, it prevents creepy or threatening calls and on the other, it could expose victims trying to keep their whereabouts a secret. So, which side of this debate are you on? [TrapCall via Wired via Boing Boing Gadgets]

So smart, yet so dumb.–Brian Lam
Patent 7,231,019: Automatic identification of telephone callers based on voice characteristics [USPTO via Wired]

The watch is analog with OLED digital dials, which gives it a retro-modern-ish look that we think is pretty cool. It also vibrates when you've got a call or a text message in as well. No pricing info yet, but check back later today. – Jason Chen

Time Masters 3 [Sony Ericsson]

If you want this, you'll have to fork over another $1.99 a month, which is quite small compared with the $27.5 billion Alltel itself just sold itself to a private group for. But if you're not on Alltel, apparently some other phones like the Samsung Upstage also have this feature. And Treos have an optional download for it too. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Alltel]

Image courtesy blinman

But the product has us scratching our heads:

Is it that big of a deal to have your cell phone in your pocket, and quickly glance at it when it rings to see who's calling? Many people are now using cell phones as a timepiece anyway these days, so a clunky watch, even though it's updated in colors of pink, blue and black with white trim, might seem redundant. Too bad it's not a phone, too. Anyway, Citizen didn't announce its price but said this updated model will be available in Japan by mid-March. – Charlie White

Product Page (translated) [Citizen, via Ministry of Tech]

TV Messenger is a video pass-through that will add caller ID to your television screen. Sure, the device has a 14 caller log for missed calls, but what we care about is the immediate, automatic notification on-screen identifying the caller when the phone rings. Unfortunately the TV Messenger doesn't support any high quality video inputs, or mobile phones through Bluetooth or something. Those functions would be well worth the $110 price tag.

But how many times have I been in the middle of (fill in embarrassing tv show) when the phone rings and it's (fill in famous 80s actor/politician who has been charged for recent sex scandal) who just wants to cry about their (fill in mundane problem) while I miss the moment when we finally see (fill in predictable romantic plot arc)? Customize it to your liking. – Mark Wilson

Product Page [via ubergizmo]

Great for when you're watching TV and don't want to get up, or if you're taking a nap and you're too groggy to read the actual caller ID numbers. Available for $50 and holds 100 numbers and 30 missed calls. – Jason Chen

Product Page [via Gadget Review via uber gizmo]

Not only can you see if your boss is calling because you're in the shower instead of at work, there's a radio and a clock too. How much? $49.95.

If only this had a video player so we wouldn't have to laminate our lad-mags.

Caller ID Shower Radio Clock [Gadget Universe via Red Ferret]