Android: Google gives the phone app iPhone-like "contact posters"
With the "caller view", users of Google's phone app receive a feature that is similar to the contact posters on the iPhone.
Google's caller view on Android is somewhat similar to Apple's contact mailers.
(Image: Google)
Google is continuing to work on the Android user interface and is gradually giving its own apps the polarizing Material 3 Expressive design language announced in May. The company is now adding another function to its already revised phone app, which is somewhat reminiscent of Apple's contact poster introduced with iOS 17.
Google rolls out personalized caller view
The new caller view, as it is officially called, is not only intended for Pixel smartphones and Android 16, but should reach all current Android smartphones on which Google's phone app is pre-installed by default. For example, the function is also available on a Xiaomi smartphone with Android 14.
(Image:Â heise medien)
This caller view, or "Calling Cards", first appeared in the beta versions of Google's "Contacts" and "Phone" apps at the beginning of the month. With version 188 of the Phone app, the company is bringing the new full-screen function to all users. According to Google, the feature will be available worldwide and distributed "gradually", so it may take a while before it lands on all devices.
As soon as the function is available, the following note will appear at the top of the phone app: "Customize how callers are displayed." A tap on "Start now" takes you to the contact overview, but you can also access the setting in the individual contacts. Here, users can create a kind of contact poster for each contact, which is displayed when you call the person or are called by them.
Videos by heise
Only for your own phone
A picture from the camera, the gallery, or Google Photos can be created or selected for this purpose. You can also set your own font and color for the contact name. The new function is optional and does not have to be used. For people who appreciate such individualization and want to give their devices an additional personal touch, it should be a welcome and, depending on the number of contacts, a labor-intensive gimmick.
(Image:Â heise medien)
Despite a certain similarity to Apple's contact posters on iOS, Android users cannot create their own business card that is displayed to contacts when they are called. Google's solution only serves to prettify your own contacts on your personal device. Sharing these contact posters is apparently not currently planned.
(afl)
