App Spotlight: CallSnap

TIP Solutions recently launched CallSnap, a free downloadable app that provides call recipients the chance to prove that “a picture’s worth a thousand words” by responding instantly to an incoming call with a photo.

By showing people what they’re doing, CallSnap provides mobile call recipients a fun, new, and innovative way to communicate by sharing an instant photo with a friend. Here’s how it works:

1         In response to an incoming call, the recipient is provided an option to slide an icon to CallSnap.

2         CallSnap declines the incoming call and the call recipient is given the opportunity to take a picture which is sent to the caller with one of multiple sayings overlaid as a frame such as, “I’m busy, here’s what I’m doing.”

3         When the recipient uses CallSnap, the caller instantly receives a text message announcing ‘Busy right now…CallSnap photo on the way!’ Importantly, the caller immediately learns that the recipient has seen their call but can’t talk at the moment.

4         Shortly after placing the call, the caller receives the photo visually explaining why the call recipient can’t answer.

I had a chance to interview Michael Unetich, TIP president, about the app:

What was the inspiration behind creating CallSnap?

Our entire goal and focus at TIP is to modernize and make the mobile phone call more efficient. One of the ways we aim to do this is by creating useful and informative ways for handling calls. Since a picture is worth a thousand words and because photosharing apps are all the rage, it was only natural that we were inspired to create “reply with a photo” as a unique way to handle a mobile phone call.  

What happens if a non-user of CallSnap calls?

Anybody can receive a CallSnap photo because it sends via the phone’s text app as an MMS message. This means that anybody with a data plan can receive the photo because we don’t send it via special servers like other popular apps, but rather it sends via your cellular carrier. 

How can apps like CallSnap help people maintain proper cellphone etiquette?

To avoid ignoring a caller, people often answer their phones at inappropriate times to let them know they saw the call and will have to call them back. CallSnap provides a more polite and nearly instant way to let someone know you’re busy. In fact, by showing a photo of what you’re doing, it even proves to them that you’re busy!      

Why is a picture better than just ignoring the call?

Not acknowledging a call typically creates communication issues for both parties. Callers don’t know if you saw the call and progress on to other ways of trying to get hold of you such as texting or repeated call-backs. Call recipients typically feel the burden of wanting to let their caller know they saw the call, so they often immediately resort to other responses to the call such as text messaging. CallSnap improves communication between friends because it is a tool to not only let a caller know you saw their call, but to also show them what you’re doing. It is intended to be fun to use because it shows some personality and insight into your life by adding another dimension to your communication.