Google brings free voice calling to Home speakers in the UK

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An update allowing Google Home speakers to make hands-free calls to UK landline and mobile numbers is rolling out this week.

The feature, which was announced at Google’s I/O developer conference in 2017, launched in the US in August. Now, thanks to an update, UK owners of the Home and Home Mini smart speakers will also be able to make free, hands-free calls to UK numbers over its wi-fi connection.

MORE: 21 Google Home tips, tricks and features

Google Assistant can recognise up to six users too, so those sharing a Home speaker with others should in theory be able to say, “Call Mum”, and get the right mother on the line.

It's certainly a handy feature, although Google will ultimately need to pull more tricks out of its sleeve to truly compete with its aforementioned rivals in the saturated smart speaker market. And ideally improve the sound quality.

Becky Roberts
Becky Roberts
Freelance contributor

Becky is a hi-fi, AV and technology journalist, formerly the Managing Editor at What Hi-Fi? and Editor of Australian Hi-Fi and Audio Esoterica magazines. With over twelve years of journalism experience in the hi-fi industry, she has reviewed all manner of audio gear, from budget amplifiers to high-end speakers, and particularly specialises in headphones and head-fi devices.

In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.