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Google Phone App Introduces 'My Calling Card' Customization Feature

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Google Introduces 'My Calling Card' for Personalized Outgoing Calls

Google is rolling out a new "My Calling Card" feature within its Phone app, enabling users to customize their outgoing caller appearance with personalized images and text. This significant update marks a departure from previous iterations that primarily focused on customizing incoming call displays, putting the power of presentation directly into the caller's hands.

This functionality allows individuals to control how their calls are presented to recipients.

Feature Overview

The "My Calling Card" feature seamlessly integrates into the Phone by Google application. It provides users with the ability to personalize their call screen with a full-screen image, their name, and other Google account information.

This aims to allow users to customize their visual identity when making calls.

Customization at Your Fingertips

Users are provided with extensive options to craft their ideal calling card. They can select a photo from their device's gallery, camera, or Google Photos to be displayed. The selected image may be cropped to fit various screen dimensions, ensuring optimal presentation.

Further customization includes adjusting the font and color of the account name, with options to modify its width, weight, and roundedness. This allows for a truly unique and personal touch.

Simple Setup Process

Setting up a "My Calling Card" is designed to be straightforward:

  1. Access the feature either through a "Create your calling card" prompt on the app's Home tab or by navigating to Phone by Google > Settings > Calling Cards.
  2. Tap "Create" under the "My Calling Card" section.
  3. Select a Google account to link to the calling card.
  4. Choose a photo from available sources (gallery, camera, Google Photos).
  5. Customize the font and color of the displayed name.
  6. Preview the card and select visibility preferences.

Visibility and Display Control

Users have granular control over the privacy of their calling card. Options are available to display it to "Only your contacts" or "Everyone you talk to." This privacy control is comparable to the "Your profile" feature found in Google Messages.

When a call is placed, recipients will see the caller's name, photo, and associated Google account information. If a recipient has already set up a custom Calling Card for the specific contact, their customized version may take precedence. However, if no custom card has been configured by the recipient for that contact, the caller's "My Calling Card" is expected to be displayed.

This display mechanism means the feature would appear for new contacts or those who have not customized specific Calling Cards for the caller.

Rollout Status

The "My Calling Card" feature has been enabled in beta versions of the Phone by Google app, specifically observed in versions 204.0.852029473-publicbeta-pixel and 211. Full availability to the public is also dependent on a server-side component.