Google tests Gemini feature that can call businesses for you

In short: Google is testing a new Gemini feature called “Call for Me” that can phone businesses for you on a Pixel 11 in the U.S.

What happened

Google is starting a small test of “Call for Me,” a feature that lets its Gemini assistant place phone calls to businesses on your behalf. Gemini is Google’s AI assistant, which is software that can hold a conversation and complete tasks.

At first, Google says the feature will be available only to Pixel 11 owners in the U.S. who pay for a Gemini subscription. It also requires the beta version of Google’s Phone app for Android, meaning it is an early test version that may still have issues.

Google says “Call for Me” can do things like ask a store if an item is in stock, make a restaurant reservation, move an appointment to a different day, or ask a business to hold an item. The assistant can introduce itself, work through automated phone menus (the “press 1 for sales” kind), wait on hold, and then talk with the person who answers.

Google says you can follow along as the call happens using a live transcript, which is a running text version of the conversation. You can also take over the call at any time. The calls are placed from your own phone and use your personal phone number.

Google says this version can share personal information that you approve, which could let it complete a wider range of requests than earlier calling tools.

Why it matters

For many people, calling businesses is slow and frustrating, especially when you have to wait on hold or deal with long menus. If this works well, it could save time, but it also raises practical questions about privacy and trust, since an assistant would be speaking for you and may need details like your name or appointment information.

Source: TechCrunch AI