20:42Machine-translated from Azerbaijani by AIRead in Azerbaijani
Google Introduces Gemini Feature That Calls Businesses for Pixel 11 Users
Google began testing a new feature on Pixel 11 smartphones on September 24. With the new “Call for Me” feature, Gemini calls businesses on the user's behalf and handles the conversation from start to finish. The feature will initially work only in the US and in English. Using it requires a paid Gemini subscription and enrollment in the Phone by Google app's open beta program.
After the user enters a request in the Gemini app, the assistant will initiate the call and tell the other party that it is an artificial intelligence. It will make the call from the user's personal phone number. If the request is unclear, Gemini may ask additional questions. During the conversation, only personal information approved by the user in advance will be shared. The feature can check whether a product is in stock at a store, reserve a table at a restaurant, reschedule an appointment and ask for a product to be held temporarily. Gemini makes the necessary selections in automated phone menus, waits on hold and speaks with an employee. Users can follow a live transcript, meaning they can see the conversation as text on the screen. They can join the call at any time and continue the conversation themselves.
“Call for Me” is primarily intended for calling businesses and will not call emergency services. If a business's number cannot be found online, the user can enter it manually. If the task cannot be completed, the assistant will politely end the conversation. The voice used during calls will sound the same as it does in the Gemini Live service. The accent selected by the user in the app will not change this voice.
Google has been testing AI-powered automated calling features for about 10 years. The company previously demonstrated restaurant reservations with Duplex. Last year, it released a more limited feature that obtained information about prices and services. Hold for Me notifies the user when a person answers after being on hold, while Direct My Call displays the options in an automated menu on the screen. The Phone app also has a feature that identifies suspicious calls. Google began the test with a small group of users because different accents, background noise and unexpected responses during real phone conversations can confuse the system. The company wants to improve its performance in such situations before making the feature available to more users. Meta is also developing similar calling features for its Muse and Instinct AI assistants. However, it is noted that Muse calls may sometimes be handled by a person.
After the user enters a request in the Gemini app, the assistant will initiate the call and tell the other party that it is an artificial intelligence. It will make the call from the user's personal phone number. If the request is unclear, Gemini may ask additional questions. During the conversation, only personal information approved by the user in advance will be shared. The feature can check whether a product is in stock at a store, reserve a table at a restaurant, reschedule an appointment and ask for a product to be held temporarily. Gemini makes the necessary selections in automated phone menus, waits on hold and speaks with an employee. Users can follow a live transcript, meaning they can see the conversation as text on the screen. They can join the call at any time and continue the conversation themselves. “Call for Me” is primarily intended for calling businesses and will not call emergency services. If a business's number cannot be found online, the user can enter it manually. If the task cannot be completed, the assistant will politely end the conversation. The voice used during calls will sound the same as it does in the Gemini Live service. The accent selected by the user in the app will not change this voice. Google has been testing AI-powered automated calling features for about 10 years. The company previously demonstrated restaurant reservations with Duplex. Last year, it released a more limited feature that obtained information about prices and services. Hold for Me notifies the user when a person answers after being on hold, while Direct My Call displays the options in an automated menu on the screen. The Phone app also has a feature that identifies suspicious calls. Google began the test with a small group of users because different accents, background noise and unexpected responses during real phone conversations can confuse the system. The company wants to improve its performance in such situations before making the feature available to more users. Meta is also developing similar calling features for its Muse and Instinct AI assistants. However, it is noted that Muse calls may sometimes be handled by a person.