At the Pixel 8 event in early October, Google revealed that the Function Call screen on their flagship series will have new “contextual responses” for incoming calls. It turns out that this update is more capable than we thought, as users can also ask contacts if their call is urgent.
This option was discovered by 9To5Google and can be considered the friendlier way to screen people. The other method, as the publication points out, involves Google Assistant asking the other person “who they are and what they want,” which can seem quite distant to friends and family. When you receive a phone call, a new button will appear under a contact’s profile to activate the screening process.
Call Screen on Pixel introduces contextual responses that allow you to quickly respond to calls with a specific question without having to actually answer the phone. here a tipster got a call from their mother, and on the dialer’s screen was a “question if urgent” chip that… pic.twitter.com/dZwT0gLnpDOctober 23, 2023
From there, Google Assistant will ask if it’s urgent. Your family member can answer yes or no. The Assistant transcribes what they said on your Pixel phone screen and offers “tapable options to ask for more information.” Then the two of you can go back and forth until someone hangs up or answers you. For non-contacts, you will be guided through the normal screening process.
Industry insider Mishaal Rahman on X (formerly known as Twitter) stated that the feature is rolling out to multiple Pixel models such as the Pixel Fold. 9To5Google says it showed up on a Pixel 7 Pro. We’re not sure how many devices will be updated, so we’ve reached out to Google asking them to give us a list of Pixel phones that will receive the patch, and in which countries. We’ll let you know if we get a response.
SOS changes
The urgent call screening is exclusive to Pixel. However, the tech giant is working on something that will impact all Android devices. Google is adding a “small barrier” to its Emergency SOS tool, requiring users to hold their finger on the screen before calling 911. This will become the default setting and will replace the current five second wait period.
According to 9To5Googlelaw enforcement agencies have asked Google to make these changes in an effort to stop pocket calling. It’s true that people complain about this. In the United KingdomEmergency SOS was blamed for a sudden increase in false emergency calls to local police. You will even find it forum posts from users annoyed by how often the pocket calling happens, and asks for ways to stop it.
Of course, Android owners have the option to revert to the older setting if they prefer. Holding down a button on the screen will not help in a difficult situation. Additionally, you can still use the Phone app to contact emergency services. This is for emergency SOS only. It is unknown when this specific update will launch. Make sure to keep an eye out for the patch when it arrives.
Check out TechRadar’s list of the best Pixel phones for 2023 if you’re thinking of buying one.