AI Takes Center Stage in Pixel 10 Calling Experience
Google has unveiled nine new features for its Pixel 10 smartphone, marking a decade of the Pixel line with significant enhancements to calling and messaging. Powered by the Tensor G5 chip and Gemini Nano AI, the updates focus on proactive assistance, real-time translation, and expanded safety tools.
Magic Cue: Contextual Assistance from Gmail and Messages
The new Magic Cue feature leverages on-device AI to proactively suggest relevant information during calls, drawing from users’ Gmail and Messages. For example, it can surface an order number or flight confirmation code as needed. Google emphasizes that Magic Cue operates privately and securely, requiring user permission to access data.
Material 3 Expressive: Personalized Phone App Redesign
With the Material 3 Expressive update, the Phone app receives a refreshed interface, offering intuitive navigation and personalization options. Users can now select between horizontal swipe and single-tap call controls, access a simplified recent calls list, and bring favorites directly to the home view. The addition of Calling Cards allows custom, full-screen photos for each contact, with customizable fonts and text colors sourced from device storage or Google Photos.
Voice Translate: On-Device, Multilingual Call Translation
Voice Translate enables real-time translation of phone calls directly on the device, preserving the natural sound of each speaker’s voice. This feature aims to support users communicating across languages, whether traveling or working internationally. After enabling Voice Translate in settings, users can activate it during calls via the “Call Assist” menu and select their preferred languages.
Expanded Call Screen and Scam Detection
Call Screen, which helps users filter unwanted calls, is now available in Australia, Canada, and Ireland. In India, a beta version of Manual Call Screen launches with support for English and Hindi, with more languages planned. Additionally, Google is piloting real-time translation for Call Screen in India to support multilingual conversations. Scam Detection is expanding to India, Australia, Canada, Great Britain, and Ireland, aiming to better protect users from fraudulent calls.
Call Notes and Take a Message: Smarter Call Management
Call Notes now suggests calendar events, tasks, and reminders based on call content, with options to enable note-taking for every call and a three-second initiation timer for privacy. The feature will become available as a beta preview in Australia, Canada, India, and Ireland. Take a Message introduces real-time transcripts for missed or declined calls, separating them from spam and using AI to suggest next steps.
Android Auto Integration and Call Recording
Pixel 10 extends call management to Android Auto, enabling call screening and Call Notes while driving. For users needing basic call documentation, Call Recording is now available on Pixel 6 and newer devices in all supported countries, with privacy disclaimers played by default. This rollout will continue through the year.
Global Rollout and Future Expansion
Google is positioning these updates as part of its broader push to make mobile communication more intuitive, secure, and accessible globally. The company plans to expand language and regional support for several features in the coming months.