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Google has introduced a new feature called Hold for Me. The feature is currently available as a preview feature in the US for the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a (5G) smartphones recently unveiled by the search giant.
So how does the feature work? According to Google, whenever a user is put on hold after calling a toll free number, the Google Assistant will take over and wait on their behalf.
You will see a large “Do not hang up” message will appear when the feature is activated and the “Call Back” option is available at any time. While the Assistant waits for you, a text transcript appears at the bottom of the screen letting you know what is happening on the call.
Once a real person answers you on the other line, your phone will notify you, ringing or vibrating, to return to the call. To ensure that the other person does not hang up, the Assistant will ask you to wait a moment to give it time to return to the call.
The company explained that Hold for Me works with Google Duplex, its artificial intelligence system to perform real-world tasks over the phone. It is already being used to make appointments and check business hours.
The feature is said to not only recognize music on hold, but can also differentiate between a recorded message and a real person speaking on the line. Most of the time at least. However, Google admits that each company’s wait cycle is different, so results may vary.
If you are concerned about privacy, Google ensures that all processing is done privately on the device and does not require any WiFi or data connection to use.
“No audio from the call will be shared with Google or saved to your Google account unless you explicitly choose to share it and help improve the feature. When you return to the call after the Google Assistant is on hold, the audio stops processing completely. “
Currently, Hold for Me is an optional feature that can be enabled in settings and can be chosen to activate during each call to a toll free number.
Last year, Google introduced a call screen update that helps users avoid being interrupted by unwanted calls once. More recently, it launched verified calls to help users know why a business is calling before you answer.
As we mentioned above, the feature will roll out to its latest Pixel devices, but will be followed soon by its previous-gen Pixel phones in its next “feature drop” rollout, though it didn’t specify when exactly.
If you want to see the rest of the cool new stuff Google introduced, watch the video below.
