Shop Talk: Meir Cohen of TrapCall

Meir Cohen has remained focused on telecommunication technology.

In 2005, he helped found SpoofCard.com, which lets users change their recognized Caller ID numbers and disguise their voices. Soon after, he was part of the launch and development of two other phone-based innovations: LiarCard.com and LoveDetect.com.

“These technologies rely on very powerful and accurate voice analysis technology engines to extract different emotions out of a telephone call and determine if someone is lying to you or how much your spouse loves you,” he said. “I am a 27 year old college educated technology nut. I always loved any new technologies especially if it involved telecom.”

So it should follow that his latest venture hasn’t strayed too far from his love.

Last month, TelTech Systems, the Toms River, N.J.-based company of which he is president and co-founder, launched TrapCall, which, among other features, promises to unmask blocked phone numbers.

More than 200,000 people signed up in the first four weeks, the attention is buzzing and Cohen, who calls it an “honor” to be part of Philly’s growing tech scene, is ready to show what’s behind his most popular product.

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Friday Q&A: Dr. Mike Steinberg of HouseCall123

After a beta launch at the end of 2008, Insomnia123.com, the first condition-specific Web site from Glenside-based Web start up HouseCall123 went live last month with new features and focus.

Dr. Mike Steinberg, who co-founded HouseCall123 last February, is the public side of the new Web franchise – not a small first foray into the Web world.

“Having my face across the internet is a strange experience,” says Steinberg, who is an assistant professor of medicine at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J. HouseCall123 is a small operation of telecommuters that hasn’t focused on profitability, Steinberg says, telling Technically Philly he has “a personal interest in the mission of the project.”

But he is combining Philadelphia’s famed health care sector with its growing tech scene. We like it. Dr. Mike stopped curing what ails us long enough to talk about insomnia, recreating the family doctor house-call visit on your iPhone and why he’s technically Philly.

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