Google's Gemini Can Now Make Your Boring Phone Calls for You

Google just brought back an idea it first tried nearly a decade ago: an AI that makes phone calls for you. The new feature, called Call for Me, runs on Google's Gemini assistant and is available right now as an experimental beta on Pixel 11 phones in the US, in English. You'll also need a Gemini subscription and to join the Phone by Google app's public beta. Then you just tell Gemini what you want — like asking a hardware store if they stock a specific tool, or scheduling a haircut with your barber — and it dials the number and handles the conversation itself.

The bot introduces itself, answers follow-up questions, presses the right buttons in automated menus, and even sits on hold so you don't have to. On your screen, you see a live transcript of the call and can tap in to take over whenever you want. Google says it works best with businesses and won't call emergency services. This builds on features Pixel owners already have, like call screening, robocall blocking, and Hold for Me.

If this sounds familiar, it should. Google's original version, called Duplex, was shut down years ago after mixed reviews. Back then, people found it creepy. Today, we're more used to AI answering calls — but the technology still stumbles. What if Gemini can't understand someone's accent? What if it gets stuck repeating itself? Google admits it's still testing exactly those situations. The company says Gemini will "politely" hang up if a business can't help — but whether it truly does is part of what the beta is meant to find out.

Looking ahead, this points to a slightly strange future: your AI assistant calling a restaurant whose own AI answers. The machines chat, and you just hope they get your order right. For now, the feature is limited and experimental, but it's a clear signal that the tedious phone call may finally be on its way out.