calling experience Archives

AppWizard

December 19, 2025

Google preps a fix for what’s probably the Phone app’s most annoying trait

Google is testing a significant update for its Phone app on Android devices, which includes a new "Controls" toggle in Display settings to maintain portrait mode during calls. This feature addresses user complaints about the app's inconsistent adherence to auto-rotation preferences. The beta also introduces an option to mark calls as "urgent" and refreshes the user interface by removing the Favorites tab and consolidating frequently contacted individuals into a horizontal row in the "Recents" section. Additionally, the dedicated "Frequents" list has been removed, encouraging users to actively favorite their most-called contacts. Another feature, "Expressive Calling," allows users to select a "call reason" when dialing, enhancing communication awareness.

AppWizard

December 15, 2025

Android phones are finally getting a way to flag ‘urgent’ calls

Android is introducing a feature called Expressive Calling in the Phone by Google app, allowing users to specify the reason for their calls, including marking them as urgent. This feature is currently available to select beta testers. When a call is marked as urgent, the recipient receives a notification that reads “It’s urgent!” along with an animated siren emoji, and the urgent designation remains in the call log if the call is missed. This feature aims to improve the calling experience by providing context and is particularly useful for users with Do Not Disturb mode activated. However, both the caller and recipient must be using the Phone app beta for the feature to work, limiting its current availability.

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

August 26, 2025

Poll: Do you like the new Google dialer?

Google has redesigned its Phone app with the Material 3 Expressive design and introduced the Calling Cards feature. User feedback is mixed: 43% support the changes, 33% appreciate some aspects, 17% dislike it, and 7% are indifferent. Positive reactions highlight larger buttons, a vibrant aesthetic, and full-screen contact photos, while criticisms include lag in speakerphone activation, complicated navigation, and changes to call answering gestures. Some users prefer the previous version, viewing the updates as unnecessary.

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

May 30, 2025

Google Meet will finally sunset legacy Duo features in September

Google Meet will fully replace legacy Duo calling features by September 2025. Users should update the Meet app and save their Duo call history and messages before this date. Some legacy features will be removed, but Google Meet will offer upgraded functionalities such as live captions, in-call chat, stackable effects, cloud encryption, and screen sharing. Users must keep their Meet app updated to ensure a smooth transition; if not all participants are updated, calls will revert to the legacy experience. Users are also encouraged to export their call history and video messages from the Duo app.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

Microsoft Photos Can Relight Your Images

Microsoft has introduced new features for Windows 11 and its Copilot+ PCs, along with AI-ready Surface hardware. Key enhancements include: - Photos App: A relight feature for adding digital light sources, auto presets, and manual adjustments; new object selection capabilities in Paint; and improvements to the Snipping Tool with a text extractor and color picker. - Recall Feature: Helps users find content by retracing steps and describing memories, with strong privacy controls. - Improved Windows Search: Allows conversational queries with AI interpreting context for relevant results, aided by specialized chips in Copilot+ PCs. - Click to Do: Streamlines workflows with contextual shortcuts for actions within a single application. - Surface for Business Copilot+ PCs: Introduction of a 12-inch Surface Pro and a 13-inch Surface laptop featuring Snapdragon X Plus processors and advanced security tools. - Surface Laptop for Business: A 13-inch model with a thinner profile, anti-reflective touch screens, and an AI-enhanced camera. - Surface Pro for Business: A 12-inch versatile device that transitions between laptop and tablet modes, featuring an adjustable kickstand. - Availability: Software updates will start in April 2025, while new Surface devices will ship from July 22 in select markets.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

Google Voice adds three-way calling support alongside its interface rework

Google has introduced a new update for its Voice app that enables three-way calling for Workspace subscription holders, allowing users to create conference calls by adding another participant. The update includes a refreshed user interface with more accessible key tools for managing calls, such as prominently displayed "Add" and "Merge" options. This feature is available to Google Workspace customers on Voice Starter, Voice Standard, and Voice Premier plans, as well as SIP Link Standard and SIP Link Premier customers. The rollout began on May 1 and is expected to reach all Google Voice users within approximately 15 days. Earlier in February, Google Voice added a "call delegation" feature, allowing users to transfer calls to another person with options for immediate transfer or confirmation before proceeding, including the ability to transfer calls from personal accounts to paid enterprise accounts.

AppWizard

December 13, 2024

WhatsApp may soon bring an in-app call dialer for Android users

WhatsApp is introducing a new in-app call dialer that allows users to dial numbers directly from the chat application, eliminating the need to switch to the system dialer. The feature includes a floating button for direct communication with unknown contacts without saving their numbers. The in-app call dialer is currently being rolled out to select Android beta users through version 2.24.26.11. A new "Call a number" feature on the contacts page aims to reduce clutter and improve user experience. Users can enter a phone number in the in-app dialer, which will initiate a verification process before making the call. This feature is still in beta testing but is expected to be available to a wider audience soon.

AppWizard

November 21, 2024

Facebook Messenger adds new HD calling features, AI video backgrounds, more

Facebook Messenger is introducing several innovative features to enhance the calling experience for users, including AI-generated backgrounds for video calls, high-definition (HD) video calls, background noise suppression, voice isolation, the ability to leave audio and video messages, and Siri integration for hands-free calling and messaging. These updates aim to improve communication quality and user engagement on the platform.