[APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.950 [2010.07.01] rule-based phone automation!
 

What It Does
Mobile Receptionist automatically handles calls, SMS, and other events, with user-configurable criteria and actions.

How It Works
You configure the Mobile Receptionist via Profiles. Profiles handle incoming events and phone status changes.
Multiple profiles can be enabled simultaneously. For example, you could have one profile automatically forward all incoming SMS messages to an email address for archiving, and another one that responds to all SMS messages and incoming calls while you're at work.

The Full Profile has Rules. Each Rule contains Criteria and Actions. If all the Critiera are met, then all the Actions are executed. There are also Criteria for the Profile, which apply globally to all Rules in the Profile.

The Full Profile has complete functionality and flexibility of Rules, Criteria, and Actions - but there are also specialized Profile types that are streamlined and easier to configure:
A Sms Responder Profile only handles incoming calls/sms and responds to the original caller.
A Event Monitor Profile only monitors events and sends notifications to a set address.
A Blacklist Profile only ignores or hangs up on certain numbers or contacts.
A Remote Control Profile allows remote control of the phone. Send SMS, get GPS coordinates, disable/enable profiles, look up contact information, etc.

Use cases
Watching a movie: set up rules to respond to missed calls and text messages with an SMS saying you're unavailable and will get back to them later.
Archiving: set up rules to forward all text messages to your email account.
Multiple phones: if you have a work phone and a personal phone, after working hours you could set up rules on your work phone to send SMS to your personal phone if the call/message is urgent.
Remote notification: If you're entering a secure building where you can't bring your phone, but have internet access, set up rules to send you an email every time you missed a call, got a text message, have an upcoming appointment.

Requirements

• Windows Mobile 5 or greater
• .NET CF 3.5 or greater
• Unlimited SMS plan (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
• Unlimited Data plan (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)

Getting Started
(this pic is out of date)
http://philchuang.com/pics/mr/mr_slideshow.gif

Latest News
The current version of Mobile Receptionist is in open beta, and certain functionality is restricted to registered users. Currently, registration is only available directly from the developer. A product information and registration website is under construction and will be available with the final 1.0 release.

Registration
The unregistered version of Mobile Receptionist has the following restrictions: only 3 enabled profiles at a time; only 1 full profile; full profiles containing Repeating GPS, Application Toggling, Profile Disabling, or Remote Control Actions is limited to 60 minutes before automatically disabling itself.

Mobile Receptionist can be registered at www.philchuang.com, and pricing is expected to be $3-5.

Registration codes will be valid for an entire major version (ie 1.00 to 1.99) and are tied to one specific mobile device. In accordance with Microsoft Marketplace policies, each Windows Live ID will be allowed to register up to 5 devices.

History
[2010.07.01] - 0.950b optimization/new features release
[2010.06.15] - 0.943b bugfixes
[2010.06.09] - 0.942b bugfixes
[2010.06.08] - 0.941b bugfixes
[2010.06.01] - 0.940b bugfixes, new features release
[2010.04.21] - 0.931b logging messages fixed
[2010.04.21] - 0.930b bugfixes, new feature release
[2009.10.20] - 0.910b bugfix/optimized release
[2009.09.24] - 0.903b bugfix release
[2009.08.21] - 0.902b bugfix release
[2009.04.19] - 0.901b bugfix release
[2009.04.10] - 0.900b open beta release
[2009.02.10] - 0.880b wider closed beta release
[2009.01.10] - 0.800b closed beta release

Contact
Official app page
Follow PhilChuang.com software on twitter!http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/t_small-a.png

0.95b Features

• Rules for
  • Incoming calls
  • Outgoing calls
  • Missed calls
  • Voicemail notification
  • Incoming SMS
  • Battery notification
  • Cradling notification
• Rule Criteria
  • Time criteria to filter by time of day, etc.
  • Contact criteria to filter by phone number matching, contact properties
  • Message criteria to filter by SMS content
  • Current Appointment criteria to filter by Status (Free, Busy, Tentative, OutOfOffice)
• Actions
  • Send messages to SMS or email, fully configurable with variables
  • Send GPS coordinates to SMS or email (with repeating capability)
  • Suspending/Resuming the MobileReceptionist
  • Disabling a Profile
  • Ignore/Answer/Speakerphone/Hangup phone calls
  • Look up contacts/appointments
  • User-configurable log messages
  • Execute any command with arguments
• Profiles
  • Full - complete flexibility in rules, criteria, and actions
  • SMS Responder - A streamlined profile that only sends SMS replies to a missed caller or incoming text message.
  • Event Monitor - A streamlined profile that sends event notifications (call, voicemail, sms) via sms or email.
  • Blacklist - A specialized profile that ignores or hangs up on certain numbers or contacts.
  • Remote Control - A specialized profile that allows remote control of the phone. Send SMS, get GPS coordinates, disable/enable profiles, look up contact information, etc.

0.95b Notes

• Open beta
• Since this is a beta, program access will expire on 01 August 2010
• Low Battery Rule has been implemented, executes when the battery level changes.
• Added "Answer Call on speakerphone" option to Incoming Call Rules.
• Added ExecuteAction to run any command.

To Do List

• Rules for
  • Appointments
  • Tasks
  • G-Sensor
  • Light Sensor
  • Incoming Email
  • Gps Movement Tracking
• Rule Criteria
  • Repeat criteria to only execute a rule a certain number of times
  • Appointment Subject criteria
  • Current Location criteria
  • Orientation criteria
• Actions
  • Remote Admin actions, such as:
  • disable/enable the application
  • lookup appointment information
  • lookup notes
• Miscellaneous
  • Automatic Profile scheduling
  • Import/Export of Profiles
  • Improved data access performance (using sqlce)

0.950b changelog
BUGFIXES
fixed form disposed exceptions

NEW FEATURES
Low Battery Rule - executes when battery level changes
Cradled/Uncradled Rule - executes when device is cradled/uncradled
Incoming Call Rule - now able to answer calls and turn on speakerphone
Log Action - add your own log messages
Execute Action - run any command, with arguments

MODIFICATIONS
much improved handling of events when Mobile Receptionist isn't running
misc editors - better display when SIP is showing
notifications now give the user a chance to cancel actions such as answering/ending calls, sms responses.

0.943b changelog
BUGFIXES
fixed time criteria bug
fixed options display in rule editor dialog

0.942b changelog
BUGFIXES
fixed crash on missed call detection

0.941b changelog
BUGFIXES
Full Profile Editor - crash on creating new incoming call rule
Log - prevent false incoming call hits

MODIFICATIONS
[misc editors] - better display when SIP is showing

0.940b changelog
BUGFIXES
Main dialog - fixed some menu items not properly disabled/enabled
Rule Editor dialog - bug on entering dialog a second time
Rule Editor dialog - actions now display in new item softmenu
Event Monitor Profile - incoming call no longer always checked if missed call is checked
Incoming Call Handler multiple execution bug
[misc editors] - tabs won't switch when left/right is pressed in textboxes
StringCriteria - fixed bug
OutlookSession - fixed wrong thread bugs

NEW FEATURES
New Remote Control Profile type
Added ability to automatically answer incoming calls

MODIFICATIONS
Sms Responder Profile - added full criteria

TODO
Finish beta version of appointment reminders
Make variables field-aware so that they don't display in fields that don't make sense
Implement form caching

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.90 [2009.04.10] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

Thanks for the beta release. One quick note.. Right now when setting up events, and actions, the OK button in the upper right is a cancel. If it is going to be a cancel, can you have it pop a dialog if changes were made and not saved? It took me a minute or two to realize that OK was not the same as SAVE. Also sometimes the Menu button in the lower right contains the "New ...", sometimes it is a right click. Can these two menus be consistent, or at least always have it in one and not across both. Have not had a call since I installed it, but looks great so far! Rick

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.90 [2009.04.10] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

I see now why so long, update looks nice!

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.90 [2009.04.10] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

1) I will add in a cancel-with-unsaved changes confirmation dialog, that happens when OK or Cancel is pressed.
2) I have tried where possible to support both the context menu and soft menu, and to keep them consistent. I just think it's better to have the option of doing it either way since some people like to click-hold and some would rather use the softkey.

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.90 [2009.04.10] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

One question, how does this app affect battery life?

-s

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.90 [2009.04.10] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

I haven't looked into that much, and I don't have any exact numbers. Just based on my usual usage on my Touch Pro, I would guess that it takes uses an extra hour of its normally 10-11 hr lifespan - although I have noticed lately that PockeTwit uses a ton of juice too, so my numbers may be skewed.

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.90 [2009.04.10] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

This might make me very uncool, but could this be used to have a copy of my kids text messages forwarded to me on my phone? My wife recently found some nasty texts that were sent to my 12 year old daughter. A girl was bullying her and she never said anything. She had been erasing them, not wanting them on her phone. Thanks

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.90 [2009.04.10] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

Occasionally I receive the following error when Mobile Receptionist tries to send SMS messages:

SMSError:
Cause Code: 97

I am thinking this is due to having a Caller ID program running at the same time and both apps try using the data connection at the same time. So I disabled the caller id program to see if the above error reoccurs.

Let me know if you have any insight into the error code,

Rick

I am on an HTC Touch, on Sprint and have the phone connected to a PC as well using the patch cable.

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.90 [2009.04.10] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

Sure, but with a couple of caveats: 1) she has to have a Windows Mobile phone with a touchscreen, and 2) it's not a covert application, so she could get into the interface and disable it if she wanted to. I could probably turn parts of it into a covert application, though.

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.90 [2009.04.10] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

a lite/covert version would be sweet!

@ DK you might want to check out the Sprite VirtualMobile beta. it works on many phone OS's and is hides pretty well.

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.90 [2009.04.10] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

it doesn't run on my touch dual. It just doesn't start... waiting sign appears for 2 secs and then nothing else happens

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.90 [2009.04.10] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

bump for bugfix release 0.901b (see OP)

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.901 [2009.04.19] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

WOW, I read further into her old text messages. Chain letters with threats of Death if not forwarded. Talk of sexting? And this is what she keep. How bad is the stuff she erases? Kids are sick anymore. Chain letters use to be if you don't forward this you'll have bad luck tomorrow, now do it or you'll die! Dang.

I would love it to be covert. But I can threaten to take her phone if she turns it off. But as long as she would turn it back on before I checked I'd never know. Maybe several text from me a day to check if it's on. Tech can be good, but wow can it be bad.

Thank You for the app. I'll keep checking to see if you do a hidden app or one that's password protected where I can turn it off/on but not them. And if they don't like it they can buy their own phone and contract!

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.901 [2009.04.19] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

Moved to the Software Forum for increased viewing pleasure.

late,
Coz

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.901 [2009.04.19] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

I looked for the "software forum" mentioned but could not find it. How about a link to the new thread on this app? please.

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.901 [2009.04.19] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

Go right here.

late,
Coz

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.901 [2009.04.19] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

So basically this is another Magicall app? I use magicall like crazy by the way.

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.901 [2009.04.19] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

MagiCall will not forward one special text message to more than one person. I've tried. This app is exactly what I've been looking for. I'm on the Fire Department, and we get a text message for all of our fire calls, but for some reason, only the Alltel users can use that. So now I have setup my phone to forward them out to some of the people that were not previously able to get them. The only thing I gotta do now, is find out where it saves the configuration settings, so I can make me a custom cab so i can re-install this after every flash of a new rom. and not have to re-enter all those names/numbers....

This App Rox !!!

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.901 [2009.04.19] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

Glad you found it useful, lennysh.

The configuration is stored in \Program Files\philchuang.com\MobileReceptionist\Data\Profi les.xml - but this may not work completely on a different phone if you have a lot of contact-based criteria. Contact criteria is based off of the Contact id which is not guaranteed to be the same between phones. However, any criteria based on phone numbers will work fine.

In a future version, I will make sure that all the settings will work regardless of the specific phone or fresh install.

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.901 [2009.04.19] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

that will be sweet, even though I modified backup behavior to prevent this (and don't switch phone models) :)

any chance to get google voice integration?
specifically sending sms 'from' google voice number.

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.901 [2009.04.19] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

I'm still brand new to google voice, but it sounds like when your GV receives an SMS, it sends it to your mobile phone, and if you reply directly to it, GV knows to send it back to the original sender.

So this means you won't have to do anything special to respond to incoming SMS from GV. However, I'm not sure what the sender information will look like, so it may not work correctly if you have sender criteria. I'll have to do some testing with GV and see how they're doing it.

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.901 [2009.04.19] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

I use the same phone, just different ROMs. But I do use Exchange to keep all my contacts. So not sure if the Contact ID is the same on those or not. Is there a way I can just type in the phone number? That way it'll never even look at the contact id?

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.901 [2009.04.19] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

Can this program be purchased yet? I'd love to get a registered copy...

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.901 [2009.04.19] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

I'm not sure if the PocketOutlook ItemId (which applies to Contacts, Appointments, Tasks, etc) synchronizes with Exchange. My guess is that it does not.

So this is an issue if you use the contact criteria "any contact", "not a contact", "contact is", or "contact is not", because I match that based on the ItemId.

However, there is the "phone matches" and "phone does not match" criteria which is not linked to the ItemId, and should therefore be safe to use between multiple phones or different installations.

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.901 [2009.04.19] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

I'm waiting for more interest to be generated in the Mobile Receptionist (and more bugs to be worked out) (and performance to be optimized) before I get around to making a full 1.0 version.

But rest assured, when that happens i'll post about here!

In the meantime, you're not missing out on too much, but if you require the full registered functionality, PM me and we'll work something out.

I just noticed that the beta period has expired, i'll work on getting another version up that'll let you use it for a couple more months.

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.901 [2009.04.19] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

I think the only issue I have now, and it may just be me doing something wrong, but besides having to leave the program running, it seems it will auto show itself sometimes. Not really linked it to every time I get an SMS, it shows. But it does show sometimes. Is there any way to keep it hidden? I assume it has to be running to work. It would be nice if it could remain running like a service.

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.902 [2009.08.21] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

bump for new version

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.901 [2009.04.19] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

Unfortunately, there's no services for WM, so Mobile Receptionist has to be left open/running. There's no requirement for it being the active window, however, so it's strange that it's popping up on you.

Actually, if a profile has been enabled to do something with SMS or missed calls, and you close the Mobile Receptionist, then on the next event occurrence, it will automatically load itself, then execute the profile rules. So you don't have to have the MR running all the time, but this is why I need to optimize it so it doesn't take so long to start the app.

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.901 [2009.04.19] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

Yeah, I know that it will load when I get an SMS. But, I try to always leave it running. And it seems that if the screen is off, then about 90% of the time the app will be showing when i turn the screen on to check my new SMS. and sometimes when the screen is already on, and I haven't received an SMS in a while, then the app will show when one does come in. I'd like to see this app minimize like MagicCall does. To a lil icon on the desktop. Even though touchflo would hide it, I think thats the way that app prevents itself from showing when a profile activates...

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.902 [2009.08.21] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

When does this new beta expire?

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.902 [2009.08.21] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

On 01 Jan 2010 the beta will stop working with the registration codes I gave out. But that just disables the registered functionality, the app should continue working in non-registered mode after that date.

I should have another version before then, and if it's non-beta then it won't have an expiration date.

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.902 [2009.08.21] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

Well, just let me know when I'll be able to purchase this. I want full functionality always...

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.902 [2009.08.21] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

I am intrested in this application also. The pricerange is nice. For the feature set its a steal.

I really am looking for a simple email alert on missed calls or sms, this will do WAY more. Do you have a email subscription to let us know when your final is released?

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.903 [2009.09.24] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

bump for new version - bugfix for phones where the regional settings is not US/English

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.910 [2009.10.20] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

bump for new version - startup is A LOT faster now!

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.910 [2009.10.20] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

anyone have current instructions? The slideshow says it's out of date. I can't find anyway to add ACTIONS. The only option under the actions menu is Cancel. Ideas?

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.910 [2009.10.20] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

What exactly are you trying to do? It could be I need to add more detail in order to aid comprehension. But then again I have a new version out soon that may work better.

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.930 [2010.04.21] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

updated with new version! Sorry it took 6 months, but some significant changes have been made!

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.931 [2010.04.21] OPEN BETA RELEASE!
 

I'll drop a new version tomorrow - everything's starting to come together nicely.

Re: [APP] Mobile Receptionist 0.940 [2010.06.01] final beta release
 

I've just posted what will likely be the final beta release. There may be minor bugfix releases but in terms of functionality this app is almost complete.

New in 0.94, i've added the Remote Control profile, which lets you remotely send text messages, look up contact or appointment info, get the phone's current GPS coordinates, enable/disable other profiles. I've also added the ability to automatically answer calls, as well as extend the SMS responder profile with the full range of filters.