Google Is Rolling Out an iPhone-Like ‘Calling Card’ Feature

Apple obtains a flack of the technological community for having stolen from Android’s features, but the truth is that the flight is going in both directions. Imitation is the largest form of flattery, after all. The latest example is a new feature striking the Google Contacts application: a complete “call card”, recalling Apple’s “contact posters”.

The idea of the two features is simple: rather than seeing the traditional image that you could define for a particular contact when they call you, the call card (and the contact poster, by the way) is a dynamic and full screen graphic for each caller. He takes advantage of the large on -board screens that have become standard over the years, displaying a large image with daring and engaging text.

Visually, these call cards and contact posters are quite similar to each other, perhaps with a specific Apple or Google flair. However, there is really only one key difference between each functionality: with Apple’s contact poster, you create your own contact image, while for call cards, you do everyone Else Images. Essentially, Apple and Google have polar philosophies opposed to functionality: Apple thinks that each user should control how their contact poster should appear on everyone’s iPhone, while Google thinks that users should decide how business cards from their friends and family should appear on their own phone.

This creates an interesting fracture: Apple does not allow you to create a contact poster for other users, while Google will not let you create your own call card. I guess Google is more in line with how we have traditionally managed contact photos, each user defining the images they would like to see for each of their contacts.

How to define a call card on Android

Android Authority was the first to spot the functionality in the latest version (4.61.28.792249534) of the Google Contacts application, as well as the latest beta version (188.0.793710089-Publicbeta-Pixel2024) of the Google Phone application. Although Google seems to be deployed slowly, it is possible that the functionality is live on your side. If you want to give it a chance, be sure to update the Google Contacts application to the latest version of your Android device.

Now go to specific contact. If you have the functionality, you should now have a context window “try to add a call card” to this screen. Press it and you will see a blank slate, inviting you to add a new image via your camera, your image gallery or Google Photos. Choose a photo from the source you like. Once the photo is in the call card, you can customize the color and the font so that the contact name appears. You can also choose a zoom level for the image you have selected by pinching and pulling on the image.

The traditional contact photo does not disappear either. You can choose to crop your business card to put the standard contact image or choose another photo.

I always welcome businesses like Google to create features like this, because they are just fun. This will not facilitate the call of people, and there is nothing wrong with the configuration of existing contact photos. But as long as these phones have large impressive screens, we could also benefit from it.