Upgrades to Google Fi
Google’s Fi mobile service is set to receive significant enhancements, incorporating artificial intelligence to improve user experience. Customers will soon be able to interact with an AI system that provides detailed explanations regarding their billing while also enhancing call quality.
A New AI-Powered Billing Assistant
The upcoming upgrade will feature a Gemini-powered chatbot designed to help users with their billing inquiries. This AI will allow subscribers to obtain summaries of their bills and ask questions without the need to wait for customer service. According to Google, initial testers have reported positive interactions with this new billing bot, prompting the company to proceed with a wider rollout.
Enhanced Call Quality with AI
In the coming month, Google plans to activate a new AI audio enhancement feature that optimizes call quality by filtering out unwanted background noises such as wind and crowd sounds. For Pixel users, a similar capability already exists at the caller’s end, but this update aims to improve sound quality on the receiver’s end as well. Additionally, Google Fi will introduce support for HD and HD+ calling, enhancing audio clarity during conversations.
Improvements to Web Interface
Beyond AI advancements, Google is also addressing a long-standing issue with the Fi web interface. While RCS messaging was early to be integrated with Google Fi, it was previously incompatible with the service’s web functions. Users had to disable RCS to send messages or make calls through their browsers, a limitation that is about to change.
Full RCS Support Coming in December
Starting in December, Google will enable full RCS support online, allowing users to make calls, send messages, and access voicemails through the web while retaining advanced messaging features. The company has stated that this feature will also see improvements to its user experience, making it more accessible from the Fi account page.
New Wi-Fi Auto Connect+ Feature
Another notable change is the introduction of Wi-Fi Auto Connect+, which will automatically switch Pixel devices from mobile data to Wi-Fi when a secured hotspot is detected. Google claims that there are “tens of millions” of secure and fast Wi-Fi hotspots within its network. Pixels will display a W+ icon in the status bar to indicate when users are connected to a supported Wi-Fi network.
This automatic switching feature could potentially save users on data costs while providing faster internet speeds. However, it may not work perfectly in all situations, as some mobile data connections may be stronger than available Wi-Fi options. Users will be automatically opted into Wi-Fi Auto Connect+, but the option to disable this feature will remain for those who prefer to use mobile data exclusively. Jane Harnett from Google has confirmed this detail.
