Imagine you own a restaurant and you get all your reservations online through your booking system; you even tell people to book online when they call, via an automated message. But then, all of a sudden, Google decides to hijack that booking link and replace it with Google Assistant’s calling feature.

So instead of Google linking to the booking system you selected, let’s say OpenTable booking integration. Now Google uses Google Assistant to try to call the restaurant and speak to a person. But no person will answer the call, the call goes to a message to tell people to book online. So the next thing that happens is that Google gives up calling, thinks there are no reservations available and tells those trying to book online that there are no reservations available.

  • jet@hackertalks.com
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    1 month ago

    Why even have a phone number if it is useless?

    • forgotten glasses
    • arranging a special event
    • deliveries and business coordination
    • employees calling out
    • etc
    • zout@fedia.io
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      1 month ago

      These all require someone to actually pick up the phone, instead of playing an automated message.

    • Zorque@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      employees calling out

      Why would the employee have to look up a publicly listed number to call their employers to call out? That’s something a private line could easily take care of.