Latest news with #HoldAssist
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
‘This is so crazy…': Google makes fun of ‘new' iOS 26 features for iPhones
Apple's latest iOS 26 has not only drawn attention but has sparked a wave of reactions across the tech industry, with competitors stepping up their responses in unexpected ways. The announcement of the "Liquid Glass" design triggered a wave of responses, notably from Samsung and Microsoft. Now, Google has joined the conversation with a light-hearted ad that playfully challenges Apple's latest software update. The ad features an exchange between the Google Pixel 9 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro, where Pixel questions the originality of some iOS 26 features by pointing out that these functionalities have existed on Pixel phones for years. In the ad, the iPhone persona excitedly lists features such as live translation for text messages, Hold Assist, and call screening. The Pixel responds by noting it introduced live translation four years ago, Hold Assist five years ago, and call screening seven years ago. This back-and-forth forms part of Google's ongoing "#BestPhonesForever" campaign, which highlights how several features in iOS 26 seem to have drawn inspiration from features long present on Google Pixel devices. Also read: Apple unveils iOS 26, not iOS 19: 5 things you should know This campaign video marks yet another entry in Google's ongoing series, where the Pixel and iPhone characters engage in humorous dialogues about smartphone capabilities. The latest clip draws attention to how several of the highlighted iOS 26 updates resemble tools that Android users have already been using through Pixel devices. The video ends with the iPhone curiously asking what the Pixel is currently working on for the upcoming Pixel 10, which hints that Apple may once again look in Pixel's direction for ideas. The underlying message is clear: many of the features celebrated as new in iOS 26 have already been part of Android's ecosystem. Also read: Apple WWDC: Tech giant announces new 'Liquid Glass' software design, iOS 26 | Key announcements Also read: Samsung Galaxy S25 review: Flagship features in a handful package Samsung also addressed Apple's announcement of live translation features in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone apps. The post noted that real-time text and speech translation was introduced with the Galaxy S24 series in 2024. In short, this banter from Google and Samsung reflects a broader trend in the tech world where companies observe and adopt features from each other. While the marketing tactics may be humorous or competitive, the underlying dynamic contributes to the improvement of smartphone experiences across platforms. As brands aim to outdo one another, the real winners are often the consumers, who benefit from a cycle of evolving functionality.
CNET
13-06-2025
- CNET
This iOS 26 Feature Might Keep Me From Switching Back to Pixel
I switched from a Google Pixel 3 XL in 2021 to Apple's iPhone 12 Pro Max, and in the years since, I've dearly missed Google's Hold For Me. This feature is so useful in saving me from the misery of listening to awful hold music whenever I needed to call up a business, my health insurance provider, my cellphone carrier or any of the other myriad adulting tasks that still require speaking with a representative. Instead, the Google feature would helpfully silence my phone while keeping the call active, listen to the hold music for me and then ring when it's time to return to the call while alerting the representative that I'll return shortly. And so at the Worldwide Developers Conference 2025, when Apple announced Hold Assist -- which sounds awfully similar to Pixel's Hold For Me -- I was thrilled. I've been eying a switch back to Android for the rumored Pixel 10, partly because I've missed having these call controls for everyday issues. But with iOS 26, Hold Assist should detect hold music, and then give you the option to silence the call while keeping it active. Then, when the representative comes back on, the phone will notify you when it's time to return to the call. We'll have to wait until at least the public beta to start trying this feature out, but on paper, it sounds almost exactly like the Pixel feature. The Hold For Me feature debuted in 2020 with the Pixel 5 and 4A. Google/Screenshot by Sara Tew/CNET While I'm glad that the iPhone will finally have an equivalent to this feature, it's worth pointing out that it's taken a long time for such calling enhancements to make their way outside of Google's Pixel line. Google introduced Hold For Me in 2020, but most other Android phones made by Samsung, OnePlus and others do not include their own take on the idea. The new Call Screening feature for iOS 26 is similar to the Pixel's Call Screen option, but it sounds like Apple's rendition will take a more automated approach. Apple's Call Screen will collect information like the person's name and purpose from an unknown caller for you, and then present it as a summary to help you decide if you should pick up. You can also send more prompts as needed if you're still unsure. In iOS 26, Hold Assist will keep the call remain active but phone will be silenced. Apple/Screenshot Google's solution lets you pick the questions that are asked to the caller and, instead of a summary, you watch as a text transcription of the call takes place. What I appreciate most about these features is that they remember that the iPhone is a phone at the end of the day. And spam callers remain just as much of a problem now as ever, especially as AI voice clones add even more issues to the kinds of scams trying to reach people. Until these features are available when iOS 26 arrives later this year, I will just continue to bring my patience to the next time I have to call up my health insurance provider. And keeping my fingers crossed that hold music can become a thing of the past when Hold Assist becomes widely available.
Scottish Sun
12-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Apple boss shares way to skip infuriating call centre ‘hold', summer holiday iPhone hack & free car upgrade for millions
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TOP Apple executive has revealed the best new tricks coming to your phone later this year – and there's a bonus upgrade for drivers too. In a UK-exclusive chat with The Sun, Apple's Greg Joswiak revealed a clever way to avoid being stuck on hold, an essential summer holiday hack, and a 'once-in-a-decade' change to the iPhone. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 23 The Sun's tech editor Sean Keach sat down with top Apple exec Greg Joswiak in Cupertino, California Credit: The Sun 23 Greg revealed future AI plans, new free features coming to your iPhone soon, and a major upgrade for millions of drivers Credit: The Sun I sat down with 'Joz' at Apple Park in California this week to find out what's next for your iPhone, and whether the tech giant is 'late to AI'. The company dished out a dizzying array of updates at its WWDC event earlier in the week, many of which were powered by AI. Apple is locked in a gadget arms race with the likes of Google and Amazon – but Joz reckons Apple's strategy isn't 'late'. It's just different. 'Our strategy really is a bit different than what some other are doing,' Joz told us. He's one of Apple's most senior leaders, in charge of global marketing and reporting directly to company chief Tim Cook. 'We didn't want to create yet another chatbot. There's brilliant ones that are out there already – they do an amazing job.' SMARTER PHONE Joz explained that the whole point is that the apps and systems work better without gadget owners 'even always knowing that they're going to Apple Intelligence'. Apple Intelligence debuted last year, adding the ability to create your own custom emoji, get help rewriting text, and generate images from scratch. Some of the showy AI-supercharged Siri upgrades that were promised still haven't arrived yet – but a lot of the best AI tricks are meant to just quietly work without you noticing. Joz gives the example of Hold Assist and Call Screening – two of the blockbuster features coming to your iPhone later this year, likely September. Hold Assist is a robot that holds on a call centre line so you don't have to. Apples's big announcements from WWDC with a flurry new features for the gadgets you already own And once a human finally picks up, you'll be alerted and can join the call – dodging the misery of call centre hold music. Call Screening is a similar AI feature that uses a robot to vet your calls. So when a stranger rings you, the robot will gather info and then share it with you. It'll ask the caller for their name and why they're calling – and then type the answer out on screen. 23 Your iPhone will soon be able to "hold" for you – freeing you up to live your life Credit: Apple 'Those are great examples of how Intelligence can help the features without you necessarily knowing you're using intelligence, right?,' Joz said. 'And again, you didn't have to go on an Apple Intelligence app to make that happen. 'It's just the experience is better.' He went on: 'We can recognise: we know you're on hold music. Do you want us to help you here? 'We can put you on hold and we can take care of it from there.' These tricks are coming in the iOS 26 update later this year. It's a free upgrade that'll roll out to millions of iPhone models. And not only are they handy tricks to avoid a nuisance, Call Screening might even save you from a costly nightmare. 23 Call Screening means you don't have to pick up the phone to spammers – or worse, scammers Credit: Apple 23 Joz said that Call Screening is an "effective" feature that you might not even realise uses AI Credit: The Sun 'In its most ideal state, keeping you from getting scammed is a good thing,' Joz said. 'But we all get spam, whether it's in our messages or our phone calls. And we're always looking for ways to deal with this. 'And here's yet another one – and hopefully a pretty effective one.' Joz also points out that the current line-up of AI tricks is just the beginning. Apple rarely talks about the future – but Joz teased plans to introduce significant AI upgrades for years to come. 'This isn't something that we do for one, two, three years,' he told us. 'This is the kind of thing we'll be working on for a decade, or decades, right? We're working on this for a long time because it's incredibly powerful stuff.' TALK TO ME! One of the headline new features is the roll-out of Live Translation. 23 The Sun's tech editor was able to test the Live Translation feature in Messages Credit: The Sun 23 It can automatically translate conversations with you – eliminating language barriers entirely Credit: The Sun This lets you understand and even speak in foreign languages live during conversations. It's available inside the Translate app, but will also work across text conversations in Messages, FaceTime, and even phone calls. It all happens in real-time, so you can have a natural conversation even if you don't speak the same language as the person you're chatting with. 'I'm especially looking forward to using it when I travel. 23 Live Translate will also work over FaceTime video calls Credit: Apple 23 You'll be able to use Live Translate on regular phone calls too Credit: Apple 'We've all found ourselves in a situation where we're in a different country, and we're running into somebody who doesn't speak to the same language.' Joz added: 'We can all think of times that we could have used something like that. 'And now you have it and it's, again, very simple to use.' FRESH APPLE The new updates don't just add AI tricks, though. Apple has also announced a brand new redesign for how the software on its gadgets looks. IOS 26 SUPPORTED DEVICES – THE FULL LIST Here are the iOS 26 supported devices... iPhone 16e iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 12 iPhone 12 mini iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 11 iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone SE (3rd gen) iPhone SE (2nd gen) Picture Credit: Apple 23 Greg said this latest redesign is even bigger than the iOS 7 makeover back in 2013 Credit: The Sun The makeover is called Liquid Glass and, as the name suggests, looks very glassy. Senior Apple execs say the new icons and animations are so technically demanding, they wouldn't have been possible until recently. 'You're seeing content beneath this glass, this translucent glass, which reflects the light. All that is happening with no latency in real time,' Joz said. 'This is a big thing to do, right? 23 iOS 26 introduces a glassy new look for the iPhone Credit: Apple 'And so it's not the kind of thing you want to do too often, right? 'It's kind of an opportunity that comes around every decade or so. The last time we did this was 2013, so 12 years ago with iOS 7.' He added: 'This one is, in a lot of ways, even more ambitious. Joz explained that iOS 7 was just about improving the design for iPhone. 23 It totally changes how buttons, icons, and apps appear Credit: Apple 23 The new Liquid Glass aesthetic is rolling out across Apple's entire line-up of gadgets Credit: Apple But this revamp works to 'commonise' the look across almost all of Apple's gadgets. 'They do come from one company and one design time. It should feel that way, right? 'And it should feel more comfortable as you're using them or moving across our products.' ON THE ROAD Of course it's not just iPhones, iPads, and Macs getting upgraded – but your car too. 23 Apple CarPlay is also getting a Liquid Glass makeover Credit: Apple 23 The new CarPlay adds Message Tapbacks so you can quickly react to texts with an emoji Credit: Apple Apple is the tech titan behind CarPlay, the software that's now supported by almost every new car. CarPlay launched back in 2014, and uses your iPhone to offer an infotainment system on your car's screen. It can happen via a cable or even wirelessly, and gives you access to your apps, music, contacts and much more. 'It's a sigh of relief when you get in the car and you say: 'Oh my goodness, it has CarPlay. 23 CarPlay works using your iPhone – so the new features are coming as part of iOS 26 Credit: Apple 'You know automatically how to use everything – but it also has your content, which is great. 'You know how to use your maps, you want to listen to your music.' He added: 'Many people are like you – they wouldn't be a car without CarPlay.' CarPlay is extremely popular. 23 You'll be able to add widgets to your CarPlay screen for the first time Credit: Apple 23 CarPlay will also support a special Liquid Glass Dark Mode Credit: Apple Joz noted that CarPlay is used a staggering 600 million times a day around the world. 'It is by far the most popular phone projection system in a car,' Joz said. 'We worked very hard to minimise glance time and to make sure that you didn't have to take your eyes off the road for longer than a couple seconds to get something done. 'And to be able to do things with your voice as much as possible – and to create a very simple user interface. 'To your point, it has become incredibly important to our users." CarPlay is changing with iOS 26. For a start, it's getting the slick new Liquid Glass look. But you'll be able to use Tapbacks for messages to quickly react, widgets for your screen with important info, and Live Activities (like a sports score). Apple has also just (finally) debuted its next major version of CarPlay: CarPlay Ultra. 23 CarPlay Ultra is a souped-up version of CarPlay that also bundles in your car's instruments and controls Credit: Apple It's now available in new models from British motoring giant Aston Martin, but it's destined for more vehicles in the future too. With CarPlay Ultra, it's not just replacing your infotainment screen, but much more. 'We're also bringing out that next generation of CarPlay, which we just brought out for the first time about a month ago,' Joz told The Sun. 'CarPlay is this beautiful ability to use the features of your phone. 23 You can customise the look of your instrument panel in CarPlay Credit: Apple 23 British motoring giant Aston Martin is the first carmaker to roll out CarPlay Ultra Credit: Aston Martin 'We wanted to have an experience with CarPlay Ultra that allows you – through that same interface that you can control your phone – to also control the aspects of your car 'Whether it's the seat heaters or the heating system in general, or even the car radio. 'Things that are outside of normal iPhone capabilities. To control these with CarPlay Ultra. 'We're very happy with the initial rollout of that. Some of the first vehicles started coming out last month. There's plenty more brands working on it.' WHO IS APPLE'S 'JOZ'? Here's Apple's official bio for Joz... "Greg 'Joz' Joswiak is Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, reporting to CEO Tim Cook," Apple writes. "Since joining Apple in June 1986, Joz has played a pivotal role in developing and launching some of the world's most beloved consumer products, including the original iPod and iPhone. "Joz began his career at Apple working on the early Macintosh computers and supporting the Mac's community of third-party developers. "Joz has over 30 years of marketing and management experience at Apple, most recently as the vice president of Apple Product Marketing where he managed the product marketing and product management teams responsible for Apple's entire product lineup. "Joz graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1986." Picture Credit: Apple ONE MORE THING The list of new features announced at Apple's WWDC event this week was enormous. So I asked Joz what he thinks people might have missed. And he gave a special shout-out to a long-demanded iPad change – a good reminder that it's not just iPhone owners getting free upgrades. 'People were very excited about us being able to bring a new windowing system to iPadOS,' Joz said. 23 There's a brand new look for iPad too – bringing new window management in iPadOS 26 Credit: Apple 'And again, doing it in an Apple sort of way. 'Which is: look, if you love the simple experience that your iPad has today and you want to continue with that, then great. 'But if you want to take it further and be able to use multiple windows and menus and all the things that come with that, then we enabled that in a very simple way for iPad users as well. Apple is expected to roll out its new software upgrades later this year – this usually happens in September. 23 Joz has decades of experience at Apple, and is one of company chief Tim Cook's most trusted advisors Credit: The Sun But we'd expect to see a public beta test version before then that you'll be able to download and try out before the full release. So Apple fans, get those gadgets ready.
Phone Arena
09-06-2025
- Phone Arena
WWDC shows that the myth about Apple and Android features is true
There is a long-standing myth about Apple that says the company takes a feature that has been used on Android for a few years, adds it to the iPhone, gives it a new name, and acts as though it has come up with the greatest thing since sliced bread. If you watched today's WWDC 25 Keynote, or read our coverage of it, you'll know that this is no myth. Three features that I wanted on the iPhone, Hold Assist, Live Translation, and Call Screening were taken from Google AI and Galaxy AI found on Pixel and Samsung handsets respectively. When Google introduced the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro in 2021, it revealed a new feature that was sure to be handy for users called Hold for Me. When activated, Google Assistant monitors the phone line while you are placed on hold. With Google Assistant on the job, you can turn your attention to something else without having to keep listening for someone on the other end of the call to return to the conversation. As soon as a live person is ready to help you, Google Assistant alerts you audibly. The Hold Assist feature has the iPhone monitor your call if you're put on hold and alert you when the other party returns to the line. | Image credit-PhoneArena This is a great feature and one that I missed greatly when I switched back to the iPhone. Today, during the WWDC Keynote, Apple announced its version of Hold for Me which it calls Hold Assist. Let's say that you need to call an airline to ask a question about a reservation you made. When you're placed on hold, you can have your iPhone sit through the silence while you go back to your work. When an agent is ready to help you, you will be notified so you can return your attention to the call. When on a call, tap on the More button on the screen showing the dial pad. It is the button with a three-dot icon. Pressing that button gives you several options with the last one being Hold Assist. Press on Hold Assist and you'll see in the Dynamic Island that the feature has been enabled, the call is on hold, and that you will receive notification when a live person is on the line. Live Translation allows you to have real-time communications with someone who doesn't speak your language. | Image credit-Apple Another new feature coming to the iOS Phone app is called Live Translation. This is another useful feature and is one that Samsung offers with its Galaxy AI suite of features and it carries the similar name of Live Translate. I was hoping that Apple would add this to iPhone and it is coming in iOS 26. Integrated into Phone, Face Time, and Messages, Live Translation uses on-device AI to translate what a caller is saying to you in a foreign language via audio or text. This translation is done in real-time, on the fly. Apple's new Live Translation feature is similar to Samsung's Live Translate. | Image credit-PhoneArena Keeping the technology on-device allows spoken or written conversations to stay private. Your response is translated in real-time into the other party's language allowing for a seamless two-way conversation. Lastly, a feature on Pixel models called the Google Call Screen uses AI and asks a caller to reveal his name and the reason for calling before connecting the call. Apple now has a similar feature that it calls Call Screening. The idea is to find out enough information from the caller to allow AI to decide whether to block the call or let it through. Call Screener asks callers questions to see if their call should get through. | Image-Apple As with Hold Assist, iPhone users will find Live Translation and Call Screening to be extremely useful features. I'm happy to see them available on iOS. As for that myth, how can anyone not see that this is a thing. It does show you the difference between Google and Apple when it comes to their operating systems. Android is tweaked in order to improve the user experience. Apple waits before it adds these useful new features and then comes up with a somewhat similar name. Still, having said that, I'm happy to see Apple add these features to iOS and I'm looking forward to using them.
Stuff.tv
09-06-2025
- Stuff.tv
What is Hold Assist? Apple's AI hold and call screening features explained
For a while now, Google's had the edge on clever AI phone features. It's been able to make bookings for you or sit on hold for a good few years now. But Apple is finally catching up in iOS 26. The latest iPhone update includes a clever new feature called Hold Assist. Hold Assist takes the existing Live Voicemail concept and pushes it further. When you're placed on hold during a call, instead of sitting through an endless loop of muzak or the same robotic voice telling you how important your call is, Hold Assist steps in. The iPhone stays on the line, listens for when a real human finally picks up, and then lets you know it's time to return to the call. But how exactly does this AI-powered feature work? Here's everything you need to know. How does Hold Assist work? When you're put on hold during a call, this iOS 26 feature kicks in automatically if it detects that you're stuck in a wait-loop. Using on-device intelligence, it monitors the call and listens for the tell-tale signs that a real agent has joined the line. Once it detects someone has picked up, you receive a discreet notification that it's time to engage. You can carry on using your phone, make yourself a cup of tea, or scream into a pillow about your broadband provider, while Hold Assist does the drudgery. Importantly, it's all done on-device. Your privacy isn't being pawned off to a cloud service, which means all the monitoring and detection happens securely on your iPhone. And if you're thinking this would be particularly handy with businesses that use overly complex automated menus or hold systems from the 90s, you're spot on. Hold Assist will be available later this year as part of iOS 26, and it's coming to supported devices including iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. You'll also find it in iPadOS 26 and watchOS 26, as long as the device is paired with a supported iPhone. The feature supports several languages including English, French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese – with more coming soon. iOS 26 gets Call Screening as well! Call Screening in iOS 26 will also let you know who's calling. When a call comes in from someone not in your contacts, your iPhone can answers the call on your behalf using Apple Intelligence. It then prompts the caller to state their name and reason for calling. While this is happening, you're kept out of the awkward exchange entirely. Once the caller responds, their message is transcribed in real time and displayed on your screen. You can then decide to answer the call, ignore it, or ask for more information with a quick tap – all without saying a word. It's particularly handy for weeding out spam, sales pitches, or cryptic 'urgent' calls that usually turn out to be anything but. Importantly, all this is handled on-device, so your calls aren't being routed through a cloud server. And unlike basic caller ID, Call Screening gets you an actual reason for the call before you decide whether it's worth your time. What about the Messages app? iOS 26 introduces a new feature for screening texts in the Messages app. Messages from unknown senders are now automatically sorted into a separate folder, keeping them out of your main conversation list. You'll have the option to review these messages, mark the sender as known, ask for more information, or simply delete them. Until you choose to engage, these messages stay silenced, so they don't bother you with notifications. It's essentially spam filtering for texts, now built right into the Messages app. As someone who struggles with sorting through emails, it would have been super helpful to see this feature baked into the stock Mail app. The fact that it isn't feels like a huge miss, as spam emails constantly slip their way into my inbox.
