Google Pixel's Hold for Me feature shows up for some Canadian Pixel owners

It looks like the Pixel-exclusive Hold for Me is finally making its way here. This feature lets you use Google Assistant on your phone to hold the line until you're ready to speak or answer. It will stay on the line until a human being is detected on the other end, so you don't have to suffer through call hold music. Some Pixel owners in the country are now gaining access to the feature.

Hold for Me is powered by Google Duplex, the AI system that lets Assistant make appointments and check store hours over the phone for you. It works for Pixel models starting from the Pixel 3 until the Pixel 5. But it looks like the Android 12 Beta has been a precursor to activation on their devices, and the Google Phone app beta version required is 70.0.3.394259711.

Source: 9to5Google

Google will shut down Android Auto phone app

Google Assistant driving mode (Source: Google)

Google has introduced an Android Auto experience on its devices in the last few years. The feature allows those without a compatible dashboard unit to quickly access Google Maps, music apps, and other data you need. But now, with the Google Assistant driving mode finished, Google plans to stop offering the old experience on devices running on Android 12.

A statement from Google shared with 9to5Google confirms this plan. "Google Assistant driving mode is our next evolution of the mobile driving experience," the statement reads.

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You might soon use Google Assistant to power off your Android phone

It might soon be possible to use Google Assistant to power off your Android phone. 9to5Google has been digging around the beta versions of Android 12 and Search and found clues leading to this option. With Android 12, Google is adding a long-press to access Google Assistant. The dilemma this feature brings is you can't find a way to turn your phone off when you select this option. One potential solution the site found is adding a power button in Android's quick settings menu. Another is pressing the Power and Volume Up buttons to access the power menu. And then, there's also the option to tell Google Assistant to "Power off" your phone.

But since the features aren't live yet, it isn't clear if the voice command will immediately shut down your phone or open the power menu. It isn't also clear if this feature will be exclusive to Pixel devices or Android 12. When we get more details, we'll be sure to update you.

Google Assistant with Duplex helps you automatically change stolen passwords in Chrome

Google

Google plans to use both Assistant and Duplex to make it easier to change stolen passwords on Chrome. Duplex is technology designed to handle tedious, multi-step processes on your behalf (like making a phone reservation). There's a version of this tech that can help you through online forms.

Now, Google Assistant and Duplex will make it easier to change compromised passwords on Chrome for Android. When you get warned about this issue on the mobile browser, an Assistant logo will show up next to the blue "Change password" button.

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