[Android] Postpone calls for a few seconds plus get cool bubble notifications for incoming calls with Callheads

Interestingly enough, there is one function in particular that can interrupt work on any smartphone, and it happens to be the one thing phones were originally intended for. That’s right, incoming calls can interrupt quite a bit especially if you’re writing an important email, reading a memo, or even doing something on the internet via the mobile browser. The point is, on a lot of smartphones you either have to take a call, or reject it and call the person back if you’re in the middle of something and would like a moment to finish up before answering. CallHeads is a simple Android application that aims to take care of that issue, by serving up incoming calls in a Facebook Chat-head like bubble. In addition, you can postpone calls for a certain period of time, allowing you to finish whatever you’re doing before answering them.

What is it and what does it do

Main Functionality

CallHeads is a very simple and straightforward Android application that displays incoming calls in a Facebook Chat-head like bubble. If you’re not familiar with the Facebook chat-heads feature, the bubbles work just like the Floating Notifications, which is an app I reviewed here some time ago. The bubbles remain on top of all other windows, while maintaining a rather minimal appearance. Of course, they also show the contact image for the associated number cueing you in as to who is calling.

Pros

Adds Chat-head like bubble notifications specifically for incoming calls
You can accept, reject or postpone calls for a few seconds
The Callhead bubble stays on top of all other windows, but is non-obtrusive allowing you to finish what you’re doing beforehand
You can move the Callhead bubble around the screen at will
There are a couple personalization options like settings to pick the Callhead layout or animation
Uses relatively few system resources at 22MB of RAM usage while running

Cons

Requires Android 4.0 and up
Because it’s a background service, task-killer and task-manager type apps can interfere

Discussion

It goes without saying, this application will replace your fullscreen incoming call popup. That means, while this application is running you will only see the Callheads on the screen anytime someone calls your phone.

The general idea here is to eliminate that pesky fullscreen view, and mitigate the interruption caused by incoming calls. What I mean by that is, if you’re doing something productive on your device and a call comes through generally said information will appear on the screen taking the whole thing hostage. If you’re in the middle of doing something, you either have to answer the call or reject it. Callheads offers several different options which specifically alter how incoming calls affect your device.

When you first run the app, it will present a quick tutorial that briefly covers how to use the Callheads and how to make the most of them. Here’s exactly how it works. When someone calls, the Callhead overlay appears on the screen. The little Callhead bubble will show the contact number for the caller along with any pertinent information depending on what you have configured to show in the settings. You tap on the Callhead and drag it to the left side of the screen to reject the call, or the right side of the screen to pick up the call. Each side includes a green or red icon respectively. At the bottom of the screen is a yellow snooze icon which allows you to delay the call, or “postpone it in Callhead speak, so that you can finish what you’re doing.

Through the app settings you can change the following:

Postpone duration in seconds
Sound settings
Mute when call is postponed
Mute when touching the Callhead
Callhead visualization- caller information around head, above head or in head bubble
Callhead animation- glowing, shaking or none

You can move the Callhead anywhere around the screen just like the Facebook Chatheads or Floating Notifications. Wherever you place the bubble is where it will remain, although the icons stay put for accepting, rejecting and postponing calls.

It works out great, and actually helps increase productivity in situations where you would want to postpone a call for a few seconds more.

It’s worth noting that you will need to run the application at least once to activate the Callheads service, and if you use any task killers or cleaners they might interfere.

For reference, Callheads uses about 22MB of RAM while running.

Conclusion and download link

Callheads is a neat and convenient application for Android that takes the Facebook Chat-heads feature and applies it to incoming calls. If you’re wondering why you would want something like this, it’s because it will allow you to finish up any tasks or work you might be doing before a call comes in thanks to Callheads’ ability to postpone calls. Often, when a call is received by a smartphone it will be seized by a fullscreen indicator of sorts about the incoming call. If you’re busy typing up an email or something else, this can interfere with your work. Callheads allows you to postpone the call for a few more seconds so you can get to a better stopping point, or think about what you’re going to say if it’s an important phone call. Of course, it replaces the stock incoming call screen on your device so keep that in mind. Like Facebook Chatheads, you can customize the look and feel of the incoming call bubble, as well as move it around the screen at will. The app uses relatively few system resources, so you don’t have to worry about serious lag while it’s running. Overall, I recommend giving this app a go.