GoKawiilGoogle's latest Android update takes aim at the growing problem of imposter scam calls. It also expands Circle to Search functions and AirDrop compatibility to more Android devices, and introduces safety features for kids. The new capabilities are starting to roll out now.
The update comes on the heels of a larger Android 17 update that Google unveiled last month, which bakes AI even deeper into the operating system. Called Gemini Intelligence, it's designed to turn AI agents into true assistants that proactively lend a hand without needing to be asked.
This month's Android updates are a bit less flashy but arguably more practical -- especially as scam calls become more sophisticated. Here's what's in store.
Fake call detection
Android's fake call detection feature, which is baked into the Phone app, will alert you if it appears someone is impersonating one of your contacts. For instance, if you get a call from "Mom" and the system flags it as a scam, you'll see an alert reading, "This may not be Mom. Someone may be pretending to call from your contact's number." This can be an especially handy feature as AI makes it easier to replicate the voices of friends and family members, leading to more sophisticated -- and detrimental -- scams.
Fake call detection works by conducting a real-time check of both phones to gauge whether the caller is who they say they are. When your actual mom is calling, for instance, her verified device will send an end-to-end encrypted private confirmation signal over RCS. But when the scammer impersonating your mom calls -- likely using an internet spoofing dialer and an AI voice cloner -- their device won't have that confirmation signal. Your phone will then check with your mom's phone to confirm she didn't place the call. You'll get the alert and a prompt to hang up.
The feature is rolling out globally this month in Phone by Google on devices with Android 12 and higher, starting with Pixel devices. Both the contact and the person receiving the call need to be using Google's Phone app. Fake call detection also requires RCS capability in Google Messages.
Watch this: Android's Biggest AI Update: Everything to Know About Gemini Intelligence 03:26
Book Insights in Google Play Books
Another new feature called Book Insights helps you refresh your memory or dig up information about what you're reading on Google Play Books. You can tap "Catch me up" to get a recap of where you left off (similar to the Story So Far feature on Amazon's newer Kindle models). You can also highlight a passage to ask questions or dig deeper into specific themes or characters. Book Insights is rolling out in the Google Play Books app and is available on certain titles in English.
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