The Google Phone team is currently developing a new feature aimed at spicing up your voice calls with friends and family. Picture this: you’re having a conversation with a friend and you smash a cracking joke then suddenly you hear a dramatic drumroll sound effect in the background, or you convey emotions such as love or frustration through screen effects coupled with corresponding sounds. Well, that’s what Google is reportedly working on.
According to AssembleDebug, this feature first appeared last September when a “sound reaction” screen popped up in the Google Phone beta app. But Google reportedly removed the strings and flags associated with this screen later on, which suggested plans to bring it to Android users had been abandoned. However, it turns out that’s not the case, because Google is apparently working on a feature known as “Audiomojis.”
The latest Google Phone beta version (124) has a bunch of files linked to sound reactions. Once the feature arrives, you’ll be able to trigger specific animations and sounds using designated emojis. There are currently six options: sad, applause, party popper, laugh, poop, and drum roll. But who knows, the list could get bigger after the feature goes live.
The tester even managed to extract the audio and animation files directly from the code, offering a sneak peek at how these audiomojis will come to life. While the exact placement of the feature remains a mystery (caller screen or Call Screen exclusive?), phone conversations are about to get a whole lot more expressive and maybe even entertaining, depending on how you look at it.
Writer’s note:
Speaking of, I’m a bit conflicted about this feature. While the idea of adding sound reactions to phone calls might seem fun on the surface, I can’t help but raise an eyebrow. Phone calls are already prone to distractions and misinterpretations, and I worry injecting sound effects and animations could amplify these issues. Imagine trying to have a serious conversation with a client amidst a barrage of virtual drumrolls and party poppers. Or the potential for misunderstandings when a “sad” audiomoji lands differently, depending on tone and context.
Don’t get me wrong, a touch of lightheartedness can be welcomed. But I fear this feature could veer into gimmick territory, potentially detracting from the core purpose of phone calls: clear and effective communication. Perhaps Google could explore alternative ways to enhance communication, like improved call clarity or features that aid understanding across cultures and languages.
