Google has stepped up its game by launching a groundbreaking new feature called 'Ask for Me' within its Search Labs. This innovative tool is set to revolutionize the way users interact with businesses, allowing Google to place calls on their behalf to gather information such as pricing and availability.
Currently being offered to select users across the United States, 'Ask for Me' is available on both the Android and iOS versions of the Google Search app. To access this feature, users must simply opt-in by signing up for Google’s Search Labs. The initiative is currently limited to industries like nail salons and auto repair shops, with Google confirming the option for businesses to decline such AI interactions.
Rose Yao, the Vice President of Product Management at Google, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to announce the new functionality. This AI-powered feature is positioned to streamline inquiries, providing immediate responses without the need for users to pick up the phone themselves.
Once users input queries such as “auto shops near me” or “salons near me,” they will see the new 'Ask for Me' card, adorned with call and sparkle icons. The card carries the message, “Google will call local services to ask about their prices and availability.” Users can click on the ‘Get Started’ button to explore options specific to the service they need, such as scheduled maintenance or tire rotations at repair shops.
Delving more deeply, once users select their required service, they can provide extra vehicle-specific information, including manufacturing year, brand, and driven distance. Upon confirmation, they can specify when they would like the service and choose their preferred method for updates—either via SMS or email.
With everything configured, the AI utilizes Google Gemini’s capabilities to make natural language calls to businesses, seeking detailed answers. After approximately 30 minutes, users receive a comprehensive report containing all the requested information via their preferred communication method.
This level of interaction exemplifies how Google is employing advanced AI technology to ease everyday tasks. According to Mac Rumours, the technology employed for 'Ask for Me' draws from the same underlying systems used to facilitate restaurant reservations through both Google Search and Google Maps, ensuring consistency and reliability throughout the user experience.
The potential effects of 'Ask for Me' stretch beyond mere convenience. By minimizing the necessity for direct phone calls, this feature doesn’t just save time; it also mitigates the stress some users feel about making inquiries. The focus is clear: Google aims to enable users to access information quickly and easily.
This latest addition to Google’s suite of AI capabilities showcases the company's commitment to enhancing how people access and interact with local businesses. By allowing users to obtain important details without needing personal interaction, Google is carving out new avenues for engagement through technology.
While this feature is still primarily available for specific types of businesses, its expansion is likely. Future iterations could include wider industry applicability, promising to usher even more AI tools for everyday user queries.
Overall, Google's 'Ask for Me' points toward the growing influence of artificial intelligence in transforming traditional business interactions, underlining how tech can simplify daily tasks and improve user experience. This development is more than just about answering queries; it's indicative of the broader trend toward integrating AI across various digital platforms to create responsive and intelligent user interfaces.