Facebook is taking a further step into the world of local search, with the testing of its latest app “Hello.”
Hello will allow mobile users to search for people on Facebook, as well as businesses using either their specific company name or category. Once found, users can call with one tap – presumably similar to Google’s tap-to-call feature – as well as get directions to the location.
“So if a friend tells you about a new restaurant in your neighborhood, you can use Hello to find their hours, make a reservation, and get directions, all without leaving the app,” explains Facebook in a blog post.
Hello will also be able to use Facebook profiles to provide relevant information about callers that will pop up with incoming calls, including a Facebook picture, name and number of contacts in common.
The Hello app includes a privacy feature that gives an option for blocking commonly blocked numbers and also specific numbers. Blocked calls go straight to voicemail but still show up in the call log.
Android users can download the test version of Hello in the Play Store.