Google has released its phone calling app, Phone, for the first time. The app offers a range of features, including spam protection, caller ID, and the ability to screen unknown callers. It also includes Hold for Me, which allows Google Assistant to wait on the line for you if a business puts you on hold, and Call Screen, which filters out detected spammers without interrupting you. The app also offers visual voicemail, call recording, and emergency support.

One of the key features of Phone is its spam protection, which warns users about suspicious callers and allows them to block numbers to prevent them from calling again. The app also offers caller ID, which lets users know the business that’s calling so they can answer with confidence. Call Screen answers unknown callers, filters out detected spammers, and helps users learn more about callers they don’t recognize before they pick up.

Phone also includes Hold for Me, which allows Google Assistant to wait on the line for you if a business puts you on hold, and visual voicemail, which lets users check their messages without needing to call their voicemail. The app also offers call recording, which allows users to capture important information for reference later. Finally, Phone includes emergency support, which allows users to see their current location when they make an emergency call and share information about the assistance they require.

Phone is available on most Android devices running Android 7.0 and above. However, some features are only available on certain devices, and manual screening is not available in all languages or countries. Transcription is only available in the US, and emergency support is only available in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the US. Hold for Me is only available on Pixel 2+ devices and may not detect every on-hold scenario.