Google Duplex is expanding outside the Pixel lineup and now making its way to more Android smartphones and iPhones in the United States.
With the automated calling feature powered by Google Assistant, users can have the virtual assistant book reservations and such for them using only voice commands.
Duplex Becomes More Widespread
Back in March, Google announced that Duplex would work in 43 states on any Pixel device, ranging from Alabama and California to Utah and Wyoming (the full list is available on an Assistant support page). Not only that, but it also said it's rolling out the service to more Android and iOS devices "over the next few weeks" then. That's what's happening now.
A Google spokesperson confirmed to The Verge in an email that the expansion of the feature has indeed begun. It's compatible with devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop or later and iOS with Assistant installed.
According to XDA-Developers, Duplex now works on the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus. Android Police also reports that it's enabled on a Galaxy S10, OnePlus 6T, and OnePlus 5 as well but apparently not on the Google Home.
The AI Way Of Booking Reservations
To make a reservation using Duplex, the user just needs to ask Assistant to call a restaurant of their choice. It will ask for things like the schedule and how many seats they're going to need, and then it'll go ahead and call the place and make the necessary arrangements with a human-sounding voice.
For now, it can only handle reservations at restaurants. Unlike what Google showed during its keynote presentation, it can't schedule appointments at hair salons or for other services such as an oil change.
Duplex debuted on May during the company's I/O 2018 event and eventually launched in November. It has been an exclusive service to Pixel devices ever since it went live, but now it's arriving on non-Pixel smartphones and iPhones with the Assistant app installed.
