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Google has begun expanding Gemini's agentic capabilities with a '@Call for me' feature that lets the AI phone businesses to check hours, availability or pricing, or make reservations. The tool is limited by design: it cannot make payments or share credit card details, though it can share a user's name and contact information, meaning users must take over calls to complete sensitive transactions.
CNET details customization settings inside ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Claude AI that let users permanently adjust how the assistants respond, rather than repeatedly tweaking prompts. These options, found under menus like 'personalization' or 'personal intelligence,' allow control over things such as warmth, emoji use and how the tool addresses the user. ChatGPT uses toggle-based settings while Gemini's Personal Intelligence takes a more open-ended approach.
Code inside version 17.61.19.sa.arm64 of the Google app shows Gemini building its own light/dark mode switch that would override the phone's system-wide setting, without affecting the rest of the Google app. The same teardown also reveals work on a new notification history screen for Gemini.
Google has launched Live Avatar, a feature within Gemini 3.8 Live that pairs real-time video generation with speech models to give AI agents lip-synced, expressive on-screen personas. The avatars support 97 languages, can switch between them without quality loss, and use asynchronous tool calling to fetch data mid-conversation. The feature launches today exclusively for Gemini Enterprise subscribers, not general consumers.
Google is reportedly rolling out a new Tasks mode within the Gemini desktop app, according to TestingCatalog, which separates regular chat conversations from more autonomous, multi-step tasks. The update includes new Computer Use settings allowing users to specify which desktop apps Gemini can and cannot control, plus a more visible option to launch projects from local folders. A Gemini Live button has also been spotted inside Tasks, suggesting users may be able to talk to Gemini while it operates across the computer.
Google has expanded Gemini in Chrome so it can process video and audio content from websites outside YouTube, letting users get key takeaways and ask questions about that media. Unlike YouTube, where Gemini reads transcripts instantly, non-YouTube content must be played through fully before Gemini can analyze it. Google also added quiz generation from notes, webpages, or YouTube videos, plus a feature that preserves scroll position and partially filled forms when tabs are sent between devices.
Google is rolling out a new Redact feature within Google Photos' Markup tools, letting users pixelate license plates or other sensitive content in images. The update also brings new fonts and thickness sliders for pens and highlighters, and is available to all Android users globally. Google separately expanded Wardrobe, Gemini Spark image editing, Moods filters, and 15 new Remix templates to more users in select countries.
Samsung confirmed that a firmware update pushed through its SmartThings app this week caused many Bespoke AI Family Hub refrigerators in South Korea to lose power and go offline, showing an update error on their screens. The company said the update was mistakenly released during internal testing and has since halted its distribution while preparing a fix. Affected owners reported spoiled groceries, with some losing large amounts of food during the Chuseok holiday period.
Okta has joined AWS, Google Cloud, Salesforce and other tech companies to form an alliance aimed at improving visibility, control and governance over AI agents. The group is pushing for a 'kill switch' mechanism that would let organizations quickly shut down AI agents exhibiting suspicious or autonomous behavior. The effort follows several incidents where AI agents reportedly acted outside intended boundaries, including one OpenAI described as 'unprecedented' and another involving Google Gemini agents affecting three companies.
Google has introduced Call for Me, a Gemini-powered addition to the Phone by Google app that can place and conduct entire phone calls on a user's behalf, including navigating automated menus and hold times. Users can watch a live transcript of the call and jump in to take over at any moment. The feature is currently in early preview for paid Gemini subscribers in the US who are enrolled in the Phone by Google Public Beta on Pixel 11 devices.
Google has started a preliminary rollout of Call For Me, a Gemini-powered feature that lets the Pixel 11 place and conduct entire phone calls on a user's behalf for tasks like checking store inventory, rescheduling appointments, or booking a restaurant table. The AI navigates phone menus and holds, while users see a live transcript and can take over the call at any time. The feature is currently limited to paid Gemini subscribers with a Pixel 11 who are enrolled in the Phone by Google Public Beta in the US.
Google introduced Call for Me, an experimental beta feature limited to Pixel 11 phones in the US and English language, letting Gemini place phone calls to businesses on a user's behalf. Users need a Gemini subscription and enrollment in the Phone by Google app's public beta; Gemini can navigate automated menus, wait on hold, and hand control back to the user via a live transcript. Google says the AI won't call emergency services but can dial specific numbers users provide.