Google Phone New "Wide Calling Card" Feature Arrives with Android 16 QPR1.

Google is rolling out a new "Calling Card" feature for its Phone app, allowing users to personalize their incoming call screen with a wide, full-screen image for specific contacts. The update, arriving in version 188 of the Google Phone app, is being launched alongside the Pixel 10 and in preparation for the Android 16 QPR1 release.

This new customization option is similar to a feature found on other platforms, but with a key difference: the personalized image and name are visible only to the user and do not affect how they appear to others. This gives users a new level of control over their personal calling experience.

How the Calling Card Feature Works.

Users will be greeted by a promotional banner at the top of the app’s Home tab, which introduces the "calling card" feature. From there, the customization process is straightforward:

• Image Selection: Users can choose an image from their device's gallery, take a new photo, or select one from their Google Photos library.
• Cropping and Framing: Once an image is chosen, it can be cropped and framed to fit the wide, full-screen format.
• Name Customization: The contact's name can also be customized with various font styles and colors.

Once set, the chosen image will appear as a full-screen background whenever that specific contact calls. This update is a move by Google to enhance the visual experience of the core calling function, making it more personal and engaging.

The Bigger Picture.

This update is part of a broader trend in which companies are adding more personalization and customization features to their core apps. For Google, this feature not only improves the user experience but also deepens the integration of Google Photos within the Android ecosystem.

The launch of this feature with the Pixel 10 and Android 16 QPR1 suggests that Google is continuing to refine and enhance the user interface across its devices, focusing on both aesthetic appeal and user-centric functionality.

Google Phone App Rolling Out Customizable "Calling Cards" for Contacts

The way you see and present your contacts during calls is getting a stylish upgrade. Google is now widely rolling out "Calling Cards" to the Google Phone and Contacts apps, allowing users to personalize the incoming and outgoing call screens with custom images, fonts, and colors for each contact. This highly anticipated feature, similar in concept to Apple's Contact Posters, offers a fresh visual experience and deeper personalization for your Android device

For years, the call screen remained a largely static interface, often displaying just a small profile picture and a name. As smartphones became increasingly personal, a desire grew for more vibrant, customizable interactions. "Calling Cards" directly addresses this need, moving beyond simple caller ID to offer a full-screen, dynamically designed display that reflects your unique relationship with each person in your contact list.

What Are Google Phone Calling Cards?

"Calling Cards" are essentially enhanced profile displays that appear full-screen when you receive or make a call. Unlike some other platforms that focus on customizing your own outgoing display for others, Google's implementation puts the power of personalization in your hands for the contacts in your phone. This means you can decide how each individual contact appears on your device's call screen, making interactions more visually engaging and recognizable.

Key Features and How They Work:

• Customizable Visuals: When adding or editing a contact, or upon opening an existing contact's page, you'll see a prompt to "Try adding a calling card." You can choose an image from your camera, gallery, or seamlessly integrate with Google Photos to select the perfect picture.
• Font and Color Customization: Beyond just a picture, the editor allows you to select a specific font and color for the contact's name, which appears prominently on the Incoming Call screen. Options include a wide array of colors like Autumn Orange, Blush Pink, Royal Blue, and even a "Smart Color" option that adapts to the chosen image.
• Seamless Integration: The Calling Card image can also double as the contact's standard profile picture and will appear as a banner photo in the Google Contacts app, ensuring a consistent visual experience across your communication tools.
• Material 3 Expressive Design: This feature aligns with the recent Material 3 Expressive redesign seen in Google's Phone and Contacts apps, contributing to a more modern and cohesive user interface.
• Wide Rollout: While initially spotted in beta versions (specifically Phone by Google 188 beta and Contacts 4.61), this feature is now rolling out widely to users.

Credit: 9to5Google

Enhancing Your Calling Experience.

The introduction of Calling Cards in the Google Phone app marks a significant step towards more personalized and aesthetically pleasing mobile communication. Instead of generic caller ID screens, you'll be greeted by vibrant, custom visuals that make recognizing callers at a glance even easier and more delightful. This update caters to users who value both functionality and a personalized visual experience on their devices.

Availability.

The "Calling Card" feature is currently rolling out to users, particularly those on the beta channels of the Google Phone and Google Contacts apps. Users can expect to see the option appear in their apps over the coming days as the rollout progresses.