For instance, I’m on Jury Duty in the US this week. Kinda a freebie but I still have to call in and input my “ID” number, birthday, and zip code before entering phone tree options to hear my summons status. So I saved a contact in my phone for the jury hotline with the main number, my Id number, birthday, zip code, and menu option numbers all separated by a comma. Now when I dial using the saved contact, it will automatically enter everything in and I don’t have to fumble around and spend unneeded time to hear if I have to report.

This can easily be adapted for any automated phone system that you call frequently although you’ll have the best results when you have to enter in a long account number like at a bank.

YYSK: It’s a huge timesaver in the age of digital automation to use your phone to navigate phone tree menus

  • bdonvr@thelemmy.club
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    1 year ago

    You should mention that the commas just make the phone wait a second or two before continuing dialing.

    For my work I have to press “1” then the extension number. But you have to wait for an opening message before it will allow you to press “1”

    My contact for my workplace is <phone number>,1,<extension>

    You’ll have to do some experimenting to get the delay right.

    But now I can call work handsfree.

    • JshKlsn@lemmy.ml
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      1 year ago

      With every answering system having a 65 hour long COVID policy update added to their intro in both English and French (Canadian here), my number would have to look like

      , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,1

    • usualsuspect191@lemmy.ca
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      1 year ago

      I believe a semi-colon means your phone waits to send the next string of numbers until you tell it to so you can still have everything queued up and just listen instead of trying to pre-program the timing

    • JshKlsn@lemmy.ml
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      1 year ago

      With every answering system having a 65 hour long COVID policy update added to their intro in both English and French (Canadian here), my number would have to look like

      ,1