Google is Testing AI-Powered Call for Me Feature on Pixel 11 Series

Google Pixel phones already offer powerful Gemini-powered Hold for Me and Direct My Call features in the Google Phone app. But the online giant is finally testing a feature it showed off 8 years ago for its previous AI assistant, Google Assistant. Soon, Gemini will be able to make phone calls on your behalf via a new feature named Call for Me.

“Gemini can call businesses to get business hours, product availability, service quotes, and other information; book, confirm, and manage appointments and reservations; and navigate phone menus and wait on hold,” the Google Support website explains. “We’re gradually making this feature available to eligible users, so it might not be available to you just yet.”

Actually, it’s a lot more complicated than that. In fact, it’s almost certain this feature, which is still an experimental beta, is not available to you. To get it, you have to meet the several requirements Google identifies on that support page. That is, you must:

• Be 18 or over
• Live in the United States
• Use a Pixel 11 series phone with a US SIM card
• Sign in to the Gemini mobile app
• Have a Google AI subscription
• Have the Public Beta version of the Phone by Google app
• Have the latest version of the Gemini mobile app
• Have your device language set to English

If you can do all that, you will get the new Call for Me functionality eventually. To use it, open Gemini and ask it to make a call for you, optionally using the text @Call for me if you’re typing. Google recommends that you be specific about what it is you’re trying to do, like getting a restaurant reservation or getting a price quote. And then you can review the summary Gemini provides and update it as needed. When you’re ready, you can tap a “Call for me” button and Gemini will use the Phone app to call the number using your mobile network, and it will disclose that it’s a Google AI assistant calling on a recorded line on your behalf.

During the call, you can monitor, cancel, or take it over as needed, and Gemini will leave the call in the latter two cases. After the call, Gemini will provide a summary and you can rate the experience. You can also opt out of receiving automated calls from others using Gemini.

Call for Me has daily limits and there are some limitations: It can’t call emergency services like 911, for example, complete financial transactions, share sensitive personal information, or make telemarketing calls.

Interesting stuff. I completed all the requirements, and though I don’t make many phone calls, I’m curious to experience this. (I did try it, just in case, but all it can do now is make the call and then let me do the talking.)