Google Call Recording Expands to More Pixel Phones
▼ Summary
– Google is rolling out Call Recording for Pixel 6 and newer devices that lack the AI-powered Call Notes feature available on Pixel 9 and 10 models.
– The feature requires updating the Phone by Google app and installing the November Pixel Drop, as confirmed on Pixel 10 Pro devices.
– Call Recording saves audio files to the device for manual transcription, unlike Call Notes which uses AI to generate summaries and next steps.
– Users can manually start recordings or set automatic recording for specific numbers or unknown contacts, with options to auto-delete files after 7, 14, or 30 days.
– Call Recording requires Android 14 or higher on Pixel devices but only Android 9 or newer on non-Pixel devices with the Phone app installed.
A broader rollout of the Google Call Recording feature is now underway for Pixel 6 and newer smartphones, specifically those that do not include the advanced Gemini Nano-powered Call Notes functionality available on the Pixel 9 and 10 series. This development, initially announced in September, requires users to update their Phone by Google application and install the latest November Pixel Drop system update to gain access.
The distinction between the two features is quite clear. Call Notes leverages artificial intelligence to automatically transcribe conversations and create summaries that pinpoint essential details and action items, but this is exclusive to the newest Pixel generations. In contrast, the Call Recording tool simply produces audio files saved directly on your handset. You must use separate applications or services if you wish to transcribe these recordings later.
To activate call recording, open the Phone app and go to Settings, then select Call Assist, and finally tap on Call Recording. You can choose to manually start a recording at the beginning of a call. Alternatively, within the settings, you have the option to automatically record calls from specific phone numbers you list, or for any incoming calls from numbers not saved in your contacts.
The system also provides flexible storage management for your recordings. You can configure them to be automatically deleted after a set period, 7 days, 14 days, or 30 days, or you can opt to retain all recordings indefinitely without any automatic removal.
Upon enabling the feature for the first time, you will be prompted to download specific audio files. These files play a notification to inform all participants on the call that the conversation is being recorded. This setup occurs during your initial call after activation, where Google also provides an explanation regarding how the recordings are managed and stored on your device.
It is important to note the different operating system requirements. While Pixel 6 and later models need to be running Android 14 or a newer version to use Call Recording, non-Pixel devices with the Google Phone app installed only require Android 9 or above to access the same functionality.
(Source: The Verge)
