Google tests letting Gemini call businesses for you
- ID
- 28159
- Status
- summarized
- Published
- 25 Sep 2026, 12:00 AM
- Fetched
- 25 Sep 2026, 12:40 AM
- Provider
- TechCrunch
- Category
- technology
- Original URL
- https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/24/google-tests-letting-gemini-make-phone-calls-initially-for-us-pixel-owners/
- Source URL
- https://techcrunch.com/feed/
Summary
- Score
- 4.5
- Created
- 25 Sep 2026, 12:40 AM
- Tags
- Audience
- ai_agent_usersvibe_codersdevelopers
What happened
Google is testing a Gemini feature called 'Call for Me' that places real phone calls to businesses using your own phone number, initially limited to Pixel 11 owners with a paid Gemini subscription in the U.S. who also run the beta version of Google's Phone app. Gemini can introduce itself, navigate automated phone menus, wait on hold, and handle tasks like checking whether a store has a product in stock, booking a restaurant, moving an appointment, or placing items on hold, while the user watches a live transcript and can take over at any point. It builds on last year's 'Ask for Me' and adds the ability to share user-approved personal information during the call.
Why it matters
There is no Malaysia availability, no developer API, and no access path except a Pixel 11 plus a paid Gemini subscription in the U.S., so there is nothing to integrate or budget for right now. The decision it does force is on the receiving side: if your product or business takes bookings or inquiries by phone, an agent that waits on hold, navigates IVR menus and negotiates with your front desk is now a caller you should test against, and the 'approved personal info' sharing model is the permission pattern agent builders will be compared to.
Discussion angle
Would you let an agent sit on hold for ten minutes and hand over approved personal details on your behalf, and what breaks first in your own phone-based booking or support flow when the caller is a bot?