In order for that feature to work, you need to give google permission to see who’s calling you and when activated (and possibly even when not activated) listen to the phone conversation. That data is going back to google servers for processing. Gemini is also feeding off of that data. If you’re concerned with the original post regarding WhatsApp data being fed to Gemini, why would you be okay with allowing google to listen in on your phone conversations, all for the small convenience of avoiding spam bots?

If you have voicemail and caller ID, just don’t pickup the call if it isn’t from a known contact.

If you’re also thinking that google isn’t collecting data without your consent, they literally just got fined 300+ million for doing exactly that.

A bit more setup is required but I love having a Wise (formerly TransferWise) account for the virtual cards and the low fee currency conversion.

I don’t believe that’s a pixel specific benefit but yes relocking the bootloader is best for security. The unlocking process is needed to install an alternative OS though.

For those on Pixel devices, check out GrapheneOS. If not CalyxOS or LineageOS

Its important that we have devices that we control. If your phone doesn’t allow bootloader unlock so you can install a different operating system, that’s a problem. Claims that security is compromised if bootloaders can be unlocked are just companies using a convenient excuse to maintain control over a device you paid for.