The Google Phone app is working on an “Expressive Calling” feature that lets you tell the person on the other end why you’re reaching out to them, including if it’s urgent.
About APK Insight: In this “APK Insight” post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we’re able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. We’ll try to enable those that are closer to being finished, however, to show you how they’ll look in case that they do ship. With that in mind, read on.
Expressive Calling will “Enhance calling with visual and haptic feedback” if you enable it. This feature, codenamed “expresso” according to strings in beta version 201, lets you specify a “Call Reason.” You’re able to choose from the following list:
- “Catch up”
- “News to share”
- “Quick question”
Message \\”Call reason: \U0001f44b Catch up\\” sent
The Google Phone app then sends that message to the person you’re trying to reach, which presumably appears on their incoming call screen and notification. Expressive Calling requires that you grant the SMS permission to Phone by Google.
SMS permission is required to use Call Reason. You can grant it in your Android settings.
The fourth and most interesting reason you can choose from today is: “It’s urgent!”
If who you’re reaching has Expressive Calling enabled, urgent calls can “make sound” and “interrupt Do Not Disturb.” Notifications will also show when you “Missed Urgent Call” and the other reasons.
When it launches, Expressive Calling is presumably exclusive to Pixel phones.
Thanks to JEB Decompiler, from which some APK Insight teardowns benefit.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
