Google Voice rarely receives user-facing improvements, but today’s makeover of the Android calling experience changes that.
Material 3 serves as the model for this “refreshed in-call user interface.” A pill-shaped end call button has been added at the bottom.
The original grid arrangement has been replaced by a row of major action buttons above that. You have Sound, Record, Mute, and Keypad. In addition to the Transfer, Hold, and Merge secondary actions, the final one is exclusive to enterprise/business accounts.
“Google Voice Wi-Fi / data call” has been shifted upward, and the user avatar seems to be bigger. Lastly, any notifications, such as “call participant on hold,” appear at the top of the screen.
The upgrade, according to Google, “brings a consistent look and feel for Voice across all of your devices, an intuitive call layout, similar to Google Meet, and improved placement of key call controls.” All users will be able to access it.
Additionally, three-way calling functionality for businesses—Voice Starter, Voice Standard, and Voice Premier subscriptions—as well as SIP Link Standard and SIP Link Premier customers was announced today.
To combine two calls into one and host a call with three participants – Choose “Add” to locate the contact you want to include in the call, and then “Merge” to combine the calls.
This enables them to “loop in additional parties to keep the conversation going or connect callers onward with more relevant parties.” Additional use cases consist of:
- Using a translator during multilingual discussions
- Directly involving legal counsel to offer advice on pertinent conversations
- Making call transfers more seamless by introducing the recipient
Google Voice for Android will begin to roll out this calling UI revamp today, and customers will be able to access it in the upcoming weeks.
