Kerry Wan/ZDNET
I've been a Pixel phone devotee since the beginning, and one of my favorite features is the call-screening capability that debuted with the Pixel 3 in 2018. I don't remember the last time I answered an unnecessary call, and I can't imagine switching to a phone without it.
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Over the years, though, Pixel call screening -- now named Call Assist -- has added several new tricks beyond simply keeping robocalls and other spam phone calls at bay. Here's a look at a few things you might not have known call screening could do.
1. Hold for me
I don't use this feature often, but it's one of the most helpful things my flagship phone can do.
Hold for Me (which has expanded to all Google Search users) waits for a call on your behalf if someone places you on hold. When a live person answers, your phone informs them that you'll be picking up shortly and displays an alert. If you've ever had to deal with being placed on a seemingly endless hold on a customer service phone call, you know how frustrating it can be to wait around.
2. Call notes
Kerry Wan/ZDNET
This feature is currently available for the more recent Pixel models (like the 9 and newer), but I'm eager for it to be available on other devices. Call Notes does just what the name says. It listens to your calls, extracts the important information, and creates a summary of your call.
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