Per quora, area code 308 probably has the smallest population of any area code, so getting a phone number based there and screening for 308 numbers would probably work well.
Honestly if google voice had a captcha system I could implement for non contact numbers, that would be sweet.
This is actually a feature on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 3: Screen your calls before answering them [0]. When you activate it on an incoming call it'll play a message for the caller, show you a transcript of their response, and allow you to respond with a few canned messages of your own. The best part is that it works entirely offline [1], so it doesn't require sacrificing your privacy. It's incredibly convenient.
For a while I'd been receiving a ton of spam calls. Eventually I caved and enabled "Filter spam calls" on my Phone app. Suddenly, all the calls stopped. I ultimately decided that this was a worthwhile privacy tradeoff for me, especially since I rarely use my phone. I only use it to occasionally interact with businesses, and as a way for close family to reach me at a moment's notice in case of an emergency.
Google Voice provides text transcripts for voicemail, but I'm not aware of it having ever supported anything like the screen call feature.
When you activate the feature the caller hears the following message: "Hi, the person you’re calling is using a screening service from Google, and will get a copy of this conversation. Go ahead and say your name, and why you’re calling."
Then you'll see a live transcript with whatever the caller says, and you're given multiple choices with which to respond. Here's some of the available actions / responses, along with the message the caller hears:
* Is it urgent? - “Do you need to get a hold of them urgently?”
* Report as spam - “Please remove this number from your mailing and contact list. Thanks, and goodbye.”
* I'll call you back - “They can’t talk right now, but they'll give you a call later. Thanks, and goodbye.”
* I can't understand - "It's difficult to understand you at the moment. Could you repeat what you just said?”
You also have the option to answer or end the call at any time.
Another important detail is that this is done exclusively using on-device technologies, so it works offline and it preserves your privacy. Voicemail transcripts are generated on Google's servers.
All of this information is taken verbatim from the two articles I linked as part of my original response.
No transcript, but they play back the caller's introduction to you before you decide to accept or ditch the call. Again, for the last 12 years or so. That was one of the reasons Google acquired Grand Central and launched Google Voice.
Yeah they had that but this is different, more interactive and something you can decide to use while your phone is ringing. Google voice currently does not have a call screening feature like the one on the pixel.
Well, GV is interactive by some definition, but awkward. You need to listen to the headset to hear the callers introduction, then type 1 to accept the call or hang out and send caller to voice mail.
Real time transcription would be much nicer, very true. GV is apparently on a lifeline while Google is trying to push Fi. Just like Duo and Hangouts.
Honestly if google voice had a captcha system I could implement for non contact numbers, that would be sweet.