Google might be testing two new features for its Phone app. According to reports, the Google Phone app now displays WhatsApp call history alongside regular phone calls. Some users have also noticed a new video call shortcut on the phone screen that sends the call to Google Meet.
These new functionalities appear to have been made available to a restricted group of users who had joined up for the tech giant’s Android Beta Program. The company has just added a few additional capabilities to Google Drive as well.
9to5Google stated the two capabilities based on posts from other users on X (previously Twitter). According to the source, the capability has recently appeared on Pixel phones and other devices.
The Google Phone app’s call logs are visible in the screenshot. One call was marked ‘WhatsApp’, and the carrier and channel details were displayed. The log showed all of the normal choices, such as calling, video calling, messaging, and history.
This suggests that Google is working on developing an integrated call log; however, whether the support is limited to WhatsApp or if other messaging apps such as Telegram and Signal will be added is unknown.
In response to a comment, the user confirmed that he was a beta tester using Google Phone v124.0.608164421-publicbeta and Whatsapp 2.24.6.6. Interestingly, the built-in call log capability has been accessible on iOS for quite some time.
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The second feature was shared by tipster Mishaal Rahman, and several users confirmed it. According to Rahman, “The Phone by Google app is starting to show a new “video call” chip during phone calls for select users. Tapping this chip brings up a screen where you may easily invite the person you’re contacting to a Google Meet call.
The capability was discovered on the Google Pixel 5a when using a beta version of the Phone app. While the app currently allows users to make Google Meet calls, new shortcut appears to let users go to the video calling app while on the calling screen.