I’d really like Apple to add a ‘Hold for Me’ feature, like what Google Pixels have had for a while. The phone can detect when you’re on hold, mute the call, and let you know when a real person picks up.
It’s super handy when calling internet providers, government offices, or any company with long wait times. No one wants to listen to terrible hold music for hours.
Google has had this since 2020, and now that Apple is adding more AI features, this seems like an easy addition. They just introduced call recording—this would be a natural next step. Honestly, this would be way more useful than Genmojis or Siri right now.
Google had this even before Gemini was a thing. My Pixel 5a from 2021 (before it died and I switched to iPhone) could screen calls, block robocalls, hold for me, and do a bunch of other smart things—all without needing an AI chatbot.
It’s crazy that iPhones, which cost way more, still don’t have this.
@Rin
Google really puts a lot of thought into these little smart features. I switched from a Pixel to an iPhone, and while I love some things, I do miss the built-in conveniences. With Apple, you always have to go find an extra app for everything.
@Peyton
Pixel 3 was probably one of the best phones I’ve ever used. I never fully appreciated it because I was mostly using an iPhone at the time. The problem is, the newer Pixels had awful signal issues after they stopped using Qualcomm modems.
Maybe the Pixel 9 has fixed that, but they still don’t offer a 1TB storage option, which I need.
@Ren
Yeah, I had a Pixel 5, which I think was the last one with Qualcomm. I was hesitant to upgrade because of the new Tensor chips and all the complaints about them.
The Pixel 9 looks solid, but they made it bigger, which I don’t like. For all the smart features Google has, Apple still offers a smoother experience overall—at least in their Pro models.
@Peyton
You do realize Google is screening your calls so they can collect and sell that data, right?
They don’t add these features to be helpful—they do it to benefit themselves.
@below
Apple is the only major company that has something like Private Cloud Compute. If you think they’re just as bad, go ahead and prove PCC isn’t real. Apple gives people the ability to verify their privacy claims.
@Zadie
Come on, Apple tracks everything too. Your location, notifications, all of it. They just don’t sell it as openly as Google does. All that ‘privacy’ talk is just good marketing.
Ren said: @Zadie
Come on, Apple tracks everything too. Your location, notifications, all of it. They just don’t sell it as openly as Google does. All that ‘privacy’ talk is just good marketing.
Apple makes almost nothing from ads, while Google’s entire business runs on them. Apple actually limits data collection and lets users control it. Google wants to hoard as much data as possible.
@Peyton
You’re making assumptions instead of looking at facts.
If you think Apple isn’t being truthful, go ahead and prove Private Cloud Compute is fake. They literally provide tools so people can verify what data is being stored.