Google Fi adds AI noise filters and RCS web messaging
▼ Summary
– Google Fi is introducing RCS messaging support for web calls and messages, enabling high-quality photo and video sharing even without a phone nearby starting in early December at no extra cost.
– Call quality improvements using Google AI will filter out background noise and enhance voice clarity on both ends of calls, available from mid-November and can be turned off if desired.
– The Wi-Fi Auto Connect Plus feature is expanding to tens of millions of US locations, automatically connecting to secure Wi-Fi networks in areas with poor cellular coverage, but it’s only for Pixel 5a and newer phones.
– Billing summaries in the Google Fi app are being upgraded with Google AI to explain charges, monthly changes, and potential plan adjustments for better clarity.
– A limited-time promotion offers new subscribers with their own phone a 50% discount for 15 months on Unlimited Essentials or Unlimited Standard plans.
Google Fi is rolling out a significant set of upgrades aimed at improving call clarity, messaging flexibility, and billing transparency for its subscribers. These enhancements leverage artificial intelligence to deliver a more polished and user-friendly experience. A key addition is the full integration of RCS messaging within the web interface for calls and messages. This allows users to send and receive high-resolution photos and videos through their web browser, a capability that functions even when their primary smartphone is not connected. This feature is scheduled to become available in early December at no additional charge.
Call quality is receiving a major boost with the introduction of an AI-powered noise cancellation filter. Designed to tackle problematic background sounds, this technology automatically works to suppress distracting noises like chatter or traffic while simultaneously enhancing vocal clarity for all parties on a call. The system is sophisticated enough to improve audio even when the person you are speaking with is using a basic landline or an older model cell phone. Set to launch in mid-November, the feature will be enabled by default, though users retain the option to disable it completely if they prefer.
Connectivity is also being strengthened through a wider rollout of the Wi-Fi Auto Connect Plus feature. This tool automatically links your device to vetted, secure Wi-Fi networks in areas where cellular signals are typically weak, such as inside large buildings. The service is now accessible across tens of millions of locations in the United States, including popular retail centers, shopping malls, and major transportation hubs like Los Angeles International (LAX), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), and New York’s JFK airports. It employs a built-in VPN to protect user data and remains a free service, though it is currently exclusive to owners of Pixel 5a smartphones and newer models.
To help customers better manage their accounts, Google is applying AI to its support features within the mobile app. The upgraded system will generate easy-to-understand billing summaries that break down charges, explain fluctuations from previous months, and illustrate how potential plan adjustments might impact future costs. Coinciding with these updates, Google Fi has introduced a promotional offer for new customers who bring their own device. This limited-time deal provides a 50 percent discount for 15 months on either the Unlimited Essentials or the Unlimited Standard plan.
(Source: The Verge)
