Google backports 'take a message' to older pixels – ai greetings now available

Google is shaking up the voicemail landscape, quietly rolling out a feature initially exclusive to the Pixel 10 series to a surprisingly broad range of older devices. ‘Take a Message,’ which transforms voicemail into a near-real-time conversation, is now available on everything from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 9 Pro.

A boost for older pixels

This backport, a move not entirely surprising given Google’s history of pushing features to legacy hardware, brings a powerful AI-driven experience to devices that previously missed out on the Tensor G5 application processor’s capabilities. It’s a welcome surprise for Pixel owners who've been patiently waiting for advancements.

How it works – and why it matters

The core of ‘Take a Message’ is a sophisticated AI that analyzes incoming calls, transcribing the conversation in real-time on your Pixel’s display. You see the caller’s questions and the AI’s responses, allowing you to decide whether to engage in the conversation – pressing ‘Answer’ to join in. Previously, the system used a Google Assistant voice, but now users can record their own custom greetings, up to 60 seconds in length, offering a significantly more personalized experience.

Custom greetings: a game changer

The addition of custom greetings, leveraging the same spam-detection engine as ‘Call Screen,’ isn’t just about personalization; it’s a proactive defense against unwanted calls. It’s a subtle but effective way to filter out the noise and ensure your inbox remains relatively clean. This is particularly useful considering Google's past issues with microphone behavior on earlier Tensor-less Pixels – a detail they’ve evidently addressed with this backport.

The magic cue – a future vision?

What’s truly intriguing is the potential for Google to extend this backporting strategy. I’m keeping a close eye on whether features like ‘Magic Cue,’ which utilizes AI to anticipate your needs based on screen context, might eventually find their way onto devices like the Pixel 6. It represents a shift towards proactive assistants, moving beyond reactive responses to truly anticipating user intent – a tantalizing glimpse into the future of Pixel interaction. While the Pixel 11 Pro XL is likely my next upgrade, this move demonstrates Google’s commitment to expanding the capabilities of its older hardware.