BOOKER BOT
iPhone to get Google’s ‘robot caller’ that can book haircuts and doctors appointments using creepy human voice
Google initially didn't want the robot to identify itself to callers but later changed course due to controversy
GOOGLE has rolled out its robot phone call making service for iPhones.
Duplex is an AI-driven assistant feature that can make all the awkward phone calls you don't want to and can even book you a restaurant reservation with a fairly realistic human voice.
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The service is already available on Android phones in 43 US states but the tech giant has just made it available on even more whilst also bringing it to Apple devices.
Duplex initially launched on Pixel devices in December 2018.
A Google spokesperson has confirmed the broader roll out and said the feature will be available on all devices running Android 5.0 and higher as well as any iPhones with the Google Assistant app installed.
Other phone calls that Google claims Duplex can successfully make for you include booking a haircut or making a doctors appointment.
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The tech giant released a YouTube video last year which provides an example of how Duplex works and what the robot caller sounds like.
Users simply have to activate the assistant and specify what phone call they would like it to make.
In the case of a restaurant reservation, the robot caller can even check what specific time range is suitable for it to accept the table, just in case the users first option isn't available.
When the robot rings the restaurant it does state: "Hi! I'm the Google Assistant calling to make a reservation for a client."
Google initially didn't want the robot to identify itself to callers but later changed course due to some controversy over whether its a human right to know you're speaking to a robot.
There are still concerns that the service could be used to annoy restaurants with fake calls and the comment section on the Duplex YouTube video is full of dubious Google fans who think the robot caller will not be taken seriously and might even get hung up on.
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