GOOGLE LETS GEMINI AI CALL BUSINESSES FOR PIXEL 11 USERS

Google has begun rolling out a feature that allows its Gemini artificial intelligence to place entire phone calls to businesses on behalf of Pixel 11 owners, according to the company. Users can ask Gemini, via the Gemini app, to handle tasks such as making a reservation, checking whether a product is in stock, or rescheduling an appointment. Gemini introduces itself to the person or automated system on the other end of the call, navigates phone menus, waits on hold, and carries out the conversation. Google said users retain control throughout, with a live transcript of the call and the ability to take over at any point. The feature is available from today as an "early preview" for Gemini paid subscribers who have enrolled in the Phone by Google Public Beta on Pixel 11 devices in the United States.

Google previously introduced a feature called "Call for me" last year, which had its AI contact local businesses to check on things such as product availability, but did not allow users to take over the call themselves. One report described the newly launched capability, which adds that takeover function, as also being called "Call for Me." Google has described the new feature as an early experiment, and it currently requires the beta version of its Phone app for Android alongside a paid Gemini subscription.

Google's move follows similar developments from other technology companies in AI-driven calling. Meta is reported to be working on a comparable automated phone call feature for its Muse and Instinct AI agents, though one report said those calls might reportedly still be handled by a human working behind the scenes rather than being fully automated. No date has been given for a wider rollout of Google's feature beyond the current US preview on Pixel 11.