Enhanced Pixel Call Assist and Redesigned Call UI
Google recently published a blog post outlining the latest updates to Call Assist features on Pixel smartphones. These updates include a redesigned call user interface (UI) and the introduction of Recents filters.
Redesigned Call UI
The most noticeable change to the call UI is the addition of prominent "pills" for Call Assist and Audio Emoji at the top of the screen. Previously, these features were accessible through the "More" button. Now, they are displayed directly above the traditional circular buttons for Keypad, Mute, Phone, and More (which has been simplified).
Tapping on the Call Assist pill brings up a sheet with a card for "Call Notes: Live transcripts & summary of your call." This feature, which first rolled out to beta users in January, provides real-time transcriptions and summaries of phone calls.
Recents Filters
To declutter the call log, Google has introduced new filters in the Recents view. These filters include:
- All
- Missed
- Contacts
- Non-spam
- Spam
The search bar above the filters has also been enlarged.
Expanded Call Assist Features
In addition to the UI redesign, Google highlighted other Call Assist features:
- Reverse Phone Number Lookup: Identifies businesses or individuals when an unknown number calls.
- Direct My Call: Navigates complex phone menus by connecting to a real human.
- Hold for Me: Automatically holds callers in line and notifies the user when it’s their turn to speak.
- Call Screen Suggested Replies: Provides automated responses to incoming calls, such as "I’ll call you back."
Live Caption for Incoming Calls
Google also emphasized the utility of Live Caption for reading incoming phone calls and responding by typing. This feature can be enabled in Settings > Accessibility > Live Caption > Live Caption in calls.
Availability
The redesigned call UI and Recents filters are currently only available on the Pixel 9 series, which are the only phones to support Call Notes. However, beta users on non-Pixel devices with Phone by Google installed may also see these updates. The other Call Assist features are available on various Pixel devices.
Conclusion
Google’s latest updates to Call Assist and the call UI enhance the user experience by making it easier to manage and transcribe phone calls. These improvements demonstrate Google’s commitment to providing innovative and accessible communication tools for its users.
