Google starts rolling out Call Screen feature to Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL in US

Google has started rolling out the new Call Screen feature, which was originally part of the new Pixel 3 phones, to the older Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Call Screen is a feature, which is part of the Google Assistant, and lets users screen the call. Basically the Assistant answers the call to check who is calling and offers ways to respond to calls to the user. Call Screen will let users quickly detect whether they are getting a spam call.

Android Police first spotted the feature on a Pixel 2 XL phones thanks to screenshots shared by a user, according to a report. Google has promised that this would come to the phones in November at the Pixel 3 launch event. Users have also posted on Reddit about a Pixel 2 which got the Screen Call feature arriving on these phones.

Keep in mind that the Call Screen feature is limited to the US for now.  It is not clear if Google plans to bring this Call Screen feature to other markets, including India. The feature relies on AI to help users screen out spam calls. When a call appears, users will get the option to Accept, Reject and Screen call in the Pixel 3. If they choose Screen Call, Assistant pop-ups and they will immediately be shown see a transcript of the caller’s responses to the AI system.

Based on this the user can decide whether they wish to pick up the call. Google says the call details are processed on-device.

Pixel users in the US will also be getting the Duplex technology first, starting with the Pixel 3 phones. This was showcased by Google at its I/O conference in May this year. Duplex will let Google Assistant actually carry out tasks like booking a restaurant table or hair-cut appointment by calling up the particular place. The Assistant can actually carry out a conversation like a real human would when making these calls.

Google says this feature will initially be available later this year in New York, Atlanta, Phoenix and the San Francisco Bay Area to help people book restaurant reservations. It will roll out to other US cities in the future.

The company has said it will disclose to businesses receiving the call that they’re speaking to an automated system. For Call Screen also, Google Assistant will let the caller know that a screening service is being used.