I usually adopt features rather quickly when Google announces something new, however, that wasn't the case when Hold for Me was first introduced last fall. The feature sounded cool but I was a bit skeptical if it worked as well as it was being pitched. Also, it's not a feature that you may use every day, for me at least. But that changed today when I called my bank and was immediately presented with the Hold for Me option when the automated voice kicked in during the call.
When on a call and when a voice automated service is detected the above screen appears with the option for Hold for Me. When Hold for Me is selected the screen displays what's happening on the call. You don't hear anything but you will see a Live Transcribe of what's occurring during the call. Music playing indicator and/or a transcription of what's happening as you are on hold. Once a person picks up and the Google Assistant detects it you will see a green button to answer or pick up the line. There is also an audible sound you will hear when wearing earphones.
From there my call continued as normal and I don't believe the person I ended up speaking with noticed anything different which was pretty cool. I was able to handle some important business without being tied to my phone while on hold.
Above is what you see in the call log. Hold for Me is listed next to the call where the service was used to serve as a reminder, I guess. No additional information is listed other than the duration of the call.
So you’re probably wondering where you can get this and how it works. Well Hold for me is available on Pixel 3 devices and newer in the US. The feature is powered by Google AI and all of the processing is done on-device and does not leave your device so all of your data is safe while staying private.
It's features like these that keep me locked into the Pixel and Google ecosystem. Helpful features that are relatively non-existent until you need them and that's how it should be in my opinion.
Just wanted to say...
Huge shout out to the Phone team at Google that continues to make the best phone app on mobile. From in-app business search to spam and call screen to Hold for Me to countless other helpful features in the app. Please keep doing what you’re doing.
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