Google tests letting Gemini call businesses for you

Google is trialing a Gemini capability called “Call for Me” that allows the AI to place calls to businesses for users, TechCrunch reports. The experiment will be limited at launch to U.S. Pixel 11 owners who pay for a Gemini subscription and who opt into the beta version of Google’s Phone app on Android. Google says it is starting small because real-world conversations are nuanced and the company needs time to refine the feature. Unlike earlier, more limited calling aids, Call for Me can use personal details the user approves in order to carry out a wider range of tasks. Google describes scenarios such as checking product availability at a store, booking a restaurant reservation, changing an appointment date, or putting items on hold. The AI can introduce itself, navigate automated phone menus, wait on hold, and handle the live exchange on the other end. The calls are placed directly from the user’s own phone number, and users can monitor progress through a live transcript displayed on their device. Google also allows users to interrupt or take over the call at any point. That control and transparency are part of the company’s approach to managing potential issues as it tests the system. Call for Me builds on years of Google experiments with automated calling technology, including demonstrations at developer conferences and features available to Pixel owners such as Hold for Me, Talk to a Live Rep, Direct My Call, and last year’s Ask for Me. Google framed this rollout as an experimental step to gather real-world feedback before any broader release.