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Gemini Call for Me might tell your mom you’re running late
Confirmed
In Short: Google announced updates to its Gemini AI, including enhanced scam detection and potential personal call automation on Android devices.
Google announced Wednesday a series of updates to its Gemini AI-powered features on the Android operating system, focusing on scam detection and potential personal call automation.
The most notable update is the expansion of the Scam Detection feature for phone calls, now available on Samsung Galaxy S26 series devices in the U.S. This feature is already offered on Pixel phones in the U.S., Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, and the U.K.
Gemini's Scam Detection feature uses on-device AI to analyze phone calls in real time and warns users of potential scams, such as calls claiming suspicious activity on a bank account.
Android Police noted that the feature works by pinging the real contact's device to verify if the call is legitimate, and if not, it displays a warning on the screen.
Another update involves the potential expansion of the 'Call for Me' feature beyond business calls to include personal calls to friends and family.
Android Authority found evidence of an introductory screen for 'Gemini Calling' with examples like 'Call Mom and tell her I will be 15 minutes late' and 'Call John and ask if he is coming for dinner.'
These updates join other Gemini improvements, such as Circle to Search updates that identify all items on a phone’s screen.
The automations allow users to offload their to-do lists to Gemini, though the types of tasks it can manage are still limited.
At launch, the feature will be limited to the Gemini app on certain devices, including the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S26 series.
Users can opt to allow Gemini to access app capabilities, potentially giving them the option to opt out of receiving incoming automated calls from Gemini.
What this adds
The updates aim to enhance user safety and convenience, but the extent of personal call automation remains to be seen.
What's confirmed
- Google announced Wednesday a series of updates to its Gemini AI-powered features on the Android operating system, focusing on scam detection and potential personal call automation.
- The most notable update is the expansion of the Scam Detection feature for phone calls, now available on Samsung Galaxy S26 series devices in the U.S. This feature is already offered on Pixel phones in the U.S., Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, and the U.K.
- Gemini's Scam Detection feature uses on-device AI to analyze phone calls in real time and warns users of potential scams, such as calls claiming suspicious activity on a bank account.
- Android Police noted that the feature works by pinging the real contact's device to verify if the call is legitimate, and if not, it displays a warning on the screen.
- Another update involves the potential expansion of the 'Call for Me' feature beyond business calls to include personal calls to friends and family.
- These updates join other Gemini improvements, such as Circle to Search updates that identify all items on a phone’s screen.
- The automations allow users to offload their to-do lists to Gemini, though the types of tasks it can manage are still limited.
- At launch, the feature will be limited to the Gemini app on certain devices, including the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S26 series.
- Users can opt to allow Gemini to access app capabilities, potentially giving them the option to opt out of receiving incoming automated calls from Gemini.
What's still developing
- Stack it on top of Google's ongoing push to widen Gemini scam detection across the platform, and the case for protective AI built to defend users starts to hold real weight.
- Check the caller ID, I said, and don't answer numbers you don't know.
- If you've ever wondered whether an AI feature on your phone is doing anything useful, Ben Khalesi has probably asked the same question.
- Test your knowledge of AI-powered scam detection tools and how they keep you safe.
- What type of scam does Google's Scam Detection feature specifically flag when a caller claims there is suspicious activity on your bank account?
- Last day to exhibit your breakthrough to 10,000+ tech leaders at Disrupt is on Oct 2.
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- Android Authority also says it found “granular permissions” for Gemini actions in individual apps, including what appear to be settings for phone call permissions.
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- While Google’s AI might not automate an entire catch-up phone call with your relatives, it could deliver quick messages to people who prefer a phone call, miss texts often, or even still have a landline phone.
- While Gemini is capable of dialing calls to connect you to pretty much anyone, if you want Gemini to actually do the talking on your behalf, Call for Me is built to handle calls to businesses in specific.
- If Gemini is a general-purpose language model, why not let it spread its wings a little bit and expand Call for Me to also support personal calls to our friends and family?