The paper presents a technology for helping to solve a pressing problem: intrusive mobile phone conversations in meetings, on public transport, and so on. The technology, called Quiet Calls, is installed in the phone of potential call recipients. The call recipients pre-record, in their own voices, certain responses (for example, “I am listening; go on,” “wait, I will go outside and then talk to you”). When a call is received, recipients then have the option of selecting these responses by selecting buttons on their PDA/phone screen. Each selected response is played back to the caller. The recipient can remain silent throughout the conversation.

Obviously, this technology has its limitations, but it does appear to offer an attractive middle way between intrusive conversations and the use of voice-mail. One strength of the paper is that there is a full evaluation of the technology, involving user trials with a prototype system. These trials were successful, and, interestingly led to some callers adapting their behavior, when aware of the use of Quiet Calls, to exploit the technology further. Let us hope the technology finds success in the marketplace.