Google is testing a Gemini feature that would call businesses to book tables, check stock or reschedule appointments, then report back to users. Google has not announced wider availability; Meta has expanded Muse into shopping, travel and grocery services.
Meta has added Muse integrations with PayPal, Walmart, Best Buy, Gap, Sephora, Wayfair and Expedia. Mark Zuckerberg has said the company plans to keep Muse free for many interactions and eventually charge a small fee on transactions completed through it. Google’s starting point is its existing services for finding businesses, reading reviews, checking locations and booking appointments.
The article identifies reliability and trust as hurdles: booking errors could affect users and businesses, while large volumes of AI calls could burden phone lines. It also says Google’s advertising model could raise questions about whether Gemini recommendations serve users or paying advertisers, and that AI-disclosure, consumer-protection and privacy rules may constrain the feature.
