Google has been working on incorporating AI into its Call Screening feature within the Phone app for Pixel devices. The new feature, discovered through a detailed analysis of the app’s beta version 153 by 9to5Google, hints at enhanced call-handling capabilities powered by Google’s Gemini Nano language model.
The feature, called “AI Replies,” could transform the way users manage incoming calls, providing smarter, context-aware responses based on the caller’s input.
A Step Up from Pre-Set Responses
Currently, Pixel’s Call Screening offers limited automated replies such as “Who is this?” and “Call me back later,” allowing users to manage unknown calls without answering. However, with the addition of AI Replies, users will receive tailored response options that adapt in real-time to the conversation. Code strings within the app indicate a prompt labeled “Turn on AI replies?” suggesting users will need to manually activate the feature. This points to a shift toward more adaptive, user-friendly call management.
Leveraging Gemini Nano for AI Replies
The AI Replies feature appears to be built on Google’s Gemini Nano model, a lightweight language processing system designed to generate contextually relevant responses. It represents a notable move toward integrating conversational AI directly into everyday smartphone interactions. By decoding references such as “dobby_LLM” in the app’s code, analysts have deduced that this model will be key in processing and generating natural-sounding replies during call screening.
Google’s broader AI initiative, represented by features under the Call Assist umbrella, already includes services like Direct My Call and Hold for Me. The suite aims to offer users a more seamless way of handling calls without requiring direct intervention.
Visual and Functional Changes in the Phone App
Alongside the addition of AI-driven responses, users will notice a new design element in the Phone app—a Gemini symbol taking the place of the former Assistant icon. This subtle change signals a deeper integration of AI within Google’s call management system. The app strings suggest that this change comes with a disclaimer highlighting the AI-generated nature of the responses and clarifying that they do not reflect Google’s views.
The AI enhancement, discovered in the latest beta teardown, builds on recent updates to the Phone app, such as the Android 15 Pixel Drop, which expanded Call Screening to include more lifelike voices and context-aware replies.
User Activation and Regional Availability
The feature will require user consent to activate, as indicated by prompts found within the app code. While Call Screening and related features have so far been available primarily in the United States and limited to newer Pixel devices, the inclusion of AI Replies could expand their utility. However, details on the rollout remain unconfirmed, leaving users waiting to see how and when these capabilities will be more widely available.
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A Glimpse into Google’s Future Plans
Google’s efforts to integrate AI into call management align with its push to deliver smarter, more autonomous tools that reduce manual input. The use of AI for generating responses based on caller input reflects a significant advance in making technology more responsive to user needs. Though no launch date has been provided, this latest development is another step toward building a more AI-integrated ecosystem within the Pixel lineup.
