Google Phone App to Roll Out Function Boosting Urgent Call Awareness
Your Android device is set to receive a digital air horn for urgent calls.
What you should be aware of:
– Google might be evaluating a significant enhancement to the Phone app that may allow Android users to label their calls as “urgent.”
– A function referred to as Expressive Calling is rumored to enable you to select a “call reason” — such as “It’s urgent!” or “Quick question” — while initiating a call.
– The urgent label may only bypass Do Not Disturb if you are already in the recipient’s contacts, helping to prevent unwanted spam calls.
Google seems to be considering a modification to one of the most recognizable aspects of your device: the instant it starts ringing. Latest code discovered in the Phone by Google app indicates that Android users could soon be able to mark a call as “urgent” and potentially bypass someone’s Do Not Disturb settings.
The team at Android Authority has found a potential feature named Expressive Calling, which might alter how we capture someone’s notice when a conventional ringtone isn’t sufficient.
The ringing of your Android phone feels like an anxiety-laden gamble. Is it a spam robot regarding your vehicle’s extended warranty? Or is it your child’s school reaching out with a genuine emergency? Numerous users employ Do Not Disturb to minimize interruptions and only permit significant calls. However, if something is genuinely critical, repeatedly calling someone is not an ideal approach.
That’s where Expressive Calling comes into play. An analysis of the app reveals options that allow you to choose a “call reason” before the phone starts ringing, with selections ranging from “It’s urgent!” to friendlier options like “News to share” or “Quick question,” accompanied by emoji.
Potential DND override:
If the feature functions as intended, the urgent label could bypass Do Not Disturb, but only if you are saved in the individual’s contacts. This is crucial as it stops unidentified callers from interrupting you.
This feature appears to depend on RCS and SMS permissions, suggesting both parties on the call may require compatible apps or settings enabled. Without that compatibility, the call reason might not display at all.
For recipients, Android might show something akin to “Missed an Urgent Call,” indicating it wasn’t merely a standard call. Ensure you’re utilizing the Google Phone app, as other dialers may not support this feature upon its release.
As with numerous unreleased features, this one could evolve or even be scrapped prior to launch. Google has yet to reveal a release schedule, and initial versions of Expressive Calling don’t seem to be operational for anyone at this moment.
Nevertheless, the intricacy of the code suggests it’s a feature poised for introduction, likely starting on Pixel phones before it becomes available on other Android devices.
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