Google Assistant Speakers Can Now Answer Incoming Calls, But It's Not For Everyone

Table of Content

• Let multiple people make calls from the same device
• Google Nest Hub Max, Google Nest Hub
• Can Google Home Mini Make Normal and Conference Calls?
• Google Assistant Speakers Can Now Answer Incoming Calls, But It's Not For Everyone
• Telstra
• Can Google Home call other Google Homes? Emergency numbers?
• How to make a conference call through Google Home Mini?

Read on below, as we guide you through all the angles of making calls with your Google smart speaker. You can use your Google Home, Home Mini, Home Max or Home Hub to make phone calls - neat, right? Yes, the feature that was once limited to Google Assistant is now available to all, and super easy to work. Perhaps this technology still needs a lot of refinement and could make good use of Google’s presence sensing technology. Presence sensing uses Google’s AI prowess to determine if someone is home based on their device activity.

To switch accounts, tap another account or Add another account. With Voice Match enabled, additional members of your home can use their own contacts to make calls on your device. To let multiple people use their contacts from the same device, each person needs to set up Voice Match.

Let multiple people make calls from the same device

But that functionality was limited to outgoing calls only. You couldn’t receive incoming calls through an Assistant speaker. The software itself is essential to using the voice operated call features on Google Home devices. In addition to this, you’ll need to install Google Duo to initiate video calls and Google Home conference calls. Calls you make are billed according to your plan.

Taylor Martin has covered technology online for over six years. He has reviewed smartphones for Pocketnow and Android Authority and loves building stuff on his YouTube channel, MOD. He has a dangerous obsession with coffee and is afraid of free time. You’ll know that “Hey Google” detection is turned on if you say the wake command—“Hey Google”—and then Google Assistant opens on your phone. If that doesn’t happen, you’ll need to enable it. Follow the steps listed in this guide, but toggle the switch on.

Google Nest Hub Max, Google Nest Hub

Although you can set up emergency numbers on your Google Home contacts, it can’t dial 911 by itself. A lot of voice activated calling software come with limitations, and for Google Home and Assistant, calling emergency numbers are one of them. Verify that the Google Account shown is the one linked to your Nest speaker or display.

You can link your MyTIM account and use your TIM registered number to make outgoing calls on your speaker or display. Calling with TIM on speakers and displays is available in Italy. But what’s worse is that this feature works even when you’re not home or your phone is switched off. The latter part might be useful in cases when your phone is out of battery and you couldn’t plug in a charger. There is no special setup for hands-free calling with Google Home. It simply uses your phone contacts or nearby businesses based on your location to place calls.

Can Google Home Mini Make Normal and Conference Calls?

Google Home Mini is a small device voice-controlled device that can perform various functions. Add your own phone number when it asks for the number of the person to add. You can also call your Google Home from your app when out too, all speakers or specific speakers. The same doesn’t apply to Canada though, as Canadian numbers can be called for free.

Google says any guests or unlinked household members won't be able to call your contacts. It works best if you’re wearing Bluetooth headphones that have a microphone or if your phone is connected to your car’s speaker system. That way, you’ll be able to hear the person on the call. Little things like this make Google Assistantseem like a real assistant. As for the size, the Google Home Mini device is much smaller than most voice-controlled speakers with similar quality and features. As long as you have the contact information of the person you wish to call, you can use voice commands to make hands-free calls.

Call charges are in accordance with your Telstra mobile plan. Each Telstra phone number supports up to 10 devices for calling. Call charges are in accordance with your TIM offer plan (mobile and/or fixed line).

When someone calls your number, all your home speakers and displays ring. The Google Home app allows users to answer phone calls hands-free through voice commands. If your device is set to “Do not disturb” however, calls will be declined automatically. Google Assistant-powered smart speakers have been long able to make phone calls.

Can Google Home announce phone calls?

To answer with Home Max, tap the line on the top or side and press and hold the line to decline a call. For Google Home Mini, tap the side of the device to answer and tap and hold to decline a call. Though this is a super cool feature that makes Google's smart home gadgets even more helpful, I think this idea is better in theory than in reality. All Google Home smart devices come with Google Assistant built in. Although they can technically operate with other smart hone network software, they are more compatible with Google Assistant.

All of the selected devices will ring when a call is incoming, announcing the name or number of the caller aloud before playing the ringtone. Users can simply say “Hey/OK Google, Answer Call” or tap on the device’s touch surface to accept the call. Anyone can also silence the speakers by saying “Hey/OK Google, Reject Call”. This will not stop the phone from ringing, so the user can still answer the call from their phone. Australian telecommunications giant Telstra is the first to roll out this ability to Assistant devices.

With carrier calling, you can link your speaker or display with your calling provider. This allows you to make calls to any numbers available in your call provider's plan. Carrier calling on speakers and displays requires a subscription to a calling plan through select calling providers listed below. Additional calling methods may also be available in your area.

Outgoing calling with Google Fi on speakers and displays is available in the US. With Google-supported calling and carrier calling, the Google Assistant will ask you which number you'd like to call. On the next menu, tap the Devices tab and select the speaker you wish to add your contacts to.