Call Screen Archives

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

Google’s new ‘Call Reason’ feature might just save you from ignoring the wrong call

Google is introducing a new feature called "Call Reason" in the Phone by Google app, currently in beta testing. This feature allows users to mark calls to saved contacts as urgent, indicating the call's importance before the recipient answers. The urgent label is displayed prominently on the incoming call screen and remains visible in the call history. The feature is limited to saved contacts to prevent misuse by scammers.

AppWizard

September 29, 2025

Pixel Phone app rolling out Call Recording & Android Auto access, details global expansion

Google has announced enhancements for the Pixel Phone app, including the introduction of Call Recording, which will be available in all countries where Pixel devices are supported, specifically for Pixel 6 and newer models. The rollout is expected to occur gradually throughout the year. Additionally, Scam Detection will expand to Australia, Canada, Great Britain, India, and Ireland. Call Notes will be introduced in Australia, Canada, India, and Ireland as part of a beta preview later this year. Call Screen will soon be available in Australia, Canada, and Ireland, with a beta version of Manual Call Screen for Pixel 10 users in India, supporting English and Hindi. Google is also developing a feature for users in India to translate Call Screen interactions into their preferred language. Other features highlighted include Magic Cue and Voice Translate on the Pixel 10, the Take a Message function, and a Material 3 Expressive design for the Pixel Phone app. The Favorites carousel and streamlined recent calls list aim to enhance navigation, while horizontal swipe and single-tap options for answering or declining calls improve usability.

AppWizard

September 29, 2025

What Google Material 3 Expressive redesigns are rolling out [Updated]

In May, Google introduced its new design language, Material 3 Expressive, which is being implemented across various applications following the launch of the Pixel 10 and Android 16 QPR1. Rolling out: - Gmail II: New layout with messages in containers and subtle borders. - Google Chrome: Segmented Material 3 progress indicator, circular containers for actions in the overflow menu, new tab button and switcher in Tab Grid, and thematically colored Tab Group cards. - Google Wallet: App logo change, thicker cards for passes, containers on various pages, enhanced NFC tap-to-pay animation, and new overlay for Pixel users activated by double-tap of the power button. Recent launches: - Google Drive II: Edge-to-edge aesthetic with no main list view container. - Quick Share: Fullscreen experience embracing Material 3 Expressive. - Google Maps: Listings use M3 Expressive containers and actions carousel at the bottom. Fully launched (in alphabetical order): - Digital Wellbeing: Main page refreshed with M3 Expressive elements and thicker donut graphs. - Files by Google: Animated Material 3 carousel on the homepage, pill-shaped toolbar for Quick Share and document scanning, revamped navigation rail, and dedicated toolbar for image editing. - Gmail: Structured layout for email list and messages, swipe gestures trigger pill-shaped animation, redesigned search app bar. - Google Calendar: Time slots in rounded containers, solid background layer for visibility, and FAB menu for creating various items. - Google Meet: Large cards for calls on the homepage, oversized buttons for voice and video calls, and user information in a pill shape. - Google Messages: Organized conversation list and message threads in containers, redesigned 'plus' menu with pill-shaped buttons. These updates aim to provide a more cohesive and visually appealing experience across Google's applications.

AppWizard

August 15, 2025

Experience the new material 3 design in Google Contacts: What’s changed?

Google Contacts has received a Material 3 Expressive redesign, featuring container-style contact cards and larger, pill-shaped icons for calling, messaging, video chatting, and emailing. The "Contact info" label above the phone number has been removed for a cleaner presentation, and the update is available with version 4.6.1.x via the Google Play Store. Additionally, Google is testing customizable full-screen calling cards in the Phone beta app, allowing users to display a full-screen image of the caller and personalize fonts and colors. This feature is currently accessible to a limited number of users on the Phone by Google 188 beta app version.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

Google’s Phone app could make resuming on-hold calls easier (APK teardown)

Google is developing a new feature for its Phone app that includes an "Unhold" shortcut in call notifications. This button will replace the existing "Mute" option when a call is placed on hold, allowing users to resume calls directly from the notification shade without returning to the main call screen. The feature is part of a Material 3 Expressive redesign and is currently available in beta version v184.0, although it has not yet been released to the public.

AppWizard

July 3, 2025

5 reasons why Google’s Pixel software is better than Samsung’s One UI

63% of respondents in a recent poll prefer Google’s Pixel UI over Samsung’s One UI, which received 37% support. Users favor Google’s camera app for its intuitive design and image processing capabilities, finding it easier for everyday photography compared to Samsung’s more complex camera app. Google’s Pixel UI is appreciated for its simplicity, offering a single app for each function, while Samsung’s devices often come with multiple pre-loaded applications, leading to a cluttered interface. Users find Samsung’s One UI settings overwhelming, whereas Pixel UI provides a clean layout for quick adjustments. Unique features like Now Playing and Call Screen on Pixel devices enhance user experience, and Google’s speed in rolling out software updates is faster and more reliable than Samsung’s, contributing to user trust in the Pixel ecosystem.

BetaBeacon

June 28, 2025

Android Set to Introduce a Game-Changing iPhone Feature Enhancing Your Call Experience

Google Contacts app version 4.55 may soon allow users to use images as contact photos and calling cards, potentially linking a user's profile image to a dynamic call screen. The feature could support full-screen images, custom fonts, and cloud synchronization for easy management across devices. This new feature aims to enhance the visual appeal of Android phone calls by allowing users to personalize their call displays with images and text. However, Google has not confirmed the existence of calling cards yet.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

Android’s youthful new design will change the way you make and answer calls

The latest iteration of the Phone by Google app features a refreshed design aimed at enhancing user experience, currently being rolled out to select public beta users. The update includes a simplified bottom menu bar with three options: “Home,” “Keypad,” and “Voicemail.” The Home tab displays favorite contacts in bubbles and a straightforward call log that lists each call as a distinct entry. A new gesture feature allows users to swipe horizontally to answer or decline incoming calls. The incoming call screen has a playful design with contacts in a lumpy circular frame. The update is expected to roll out in September and includes a new “Pixel VIP” widget for Pixel devices, offering enhanced details about favorite contacts.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

First look: Google’s Phone app is getting a tasty Android 16 redesign (APK teardown)

Google's Phone app has undergone significant design enhancements in its version 177.0.763181107-publicbeta-pixel2024, aligning with the Material 3 Expressive design language. Key changes include larger contact names and caller images, a transition from circular to oval-shaped buttons, and an enlarged pill-shaped end call button. Additional modifications feature the removal of the “call from” text, immediate display of the phone number after answering, and a redesigned “more” menu. The app also introduces an animation for the incoming caller’s profile picture. Similar updates are being rolled out across other Google applications, and these redesigns will be supported on earlier versions of Android as well.

BetaBeacon

May 27, 2025

These iOS & Android Apps are Free for a While

Android Apps and Games are available for free for a limited time, including apps like Fake Call Screen, Stabilize Video, Simple Quote Widgets, Number to Word Convert, and Quick Volume Control.