Google Voice now lets you decide who goes to voicemail

Google now lets you customize how its Voice service handles incoming calls. Starting today, you can configure the app to forward calls from either individual or groups of contacts to a linked phone number or your voicemail. Separately, you can set a rule that plays custom voicemail greetings for specific contacts. And if you want to avoid taking calls unless absolutely necessary, you can tell it to screen individuals.

Google said the new options allow users to route incoming calls in ways that complement their existing workflows. To start using the feature, head over to the Google Voice website and click the cog icon located toward the top of the interface. Then click “Calls,” followed by “Choose a rule.” Note that on the mobile app, it’s only possible to view rules you’ve already set; you can’t establish new ones — at least not yet.

Despite holding the distinction of being one of Google’s longest-running services, Voice has received only sporadic attention from the search giant in recent years. Before today, the most recent update the company issued for Voice was to disable one of its most useful features. That’s led to fears Google may discontinue the service soon, but today’s update would indicate Voice has legs yet.

5G Speeds in the U.S. Rank Dead Last Among Early Adopters

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Spider-Man: No Way Home Is a Brand New Day for the MCU's Peter Parker

The Spider-Man of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe was hailed when he truly arrived in Homecoming as the Spidey with no unnecessary origin—we’d all experienced Uncle Ben, great power, and greater responsibility enough that it was thought unneeded. But No Way Home ultimately concludes that in order to grow and move on, our…

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Boeing And Airbus Want To Ground The 5G Rollout

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A New, Long-Acting HIV Prevention Drug Just Got FDA Approval

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PReP) for preventing cases of HIV. The treatment is called Apretude, and it’s the first PREP medication to be taken via injection instead as a once-daily pill. Apretude will only need to be taken once a month initially, then every…

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It's Official: The Next OnePlus Flagship Is Coming in January

OnePlus may have lost its steam this year compared to other Android phone makers—namely Google with its impressive Pixel 6—but the company has a new smartphone up its sleeve.

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz And His Family Test Positive For COVID-19

The Democrat said he was disappointed to spend Christmas in quarantine, but added, “The biggest gift we can give is staying safe.”

9 Of Jane Fonda’s Best Quotes About Life And Work Lessons

The actor and activist turns 84 on Tuesday — and she’s got wise words about empathy, mistakes, forgiveness and aging.

Hades becomes the first video game to win a Hugo Award

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Microsoft's $19.7 billion Nuance acquisition wins EU approval

The European Commission has approved Microsoft’s $19.7 billion bid to buy Nuance Communications. The regulator said on Tuesday the proposed acquisition “would raise no competition concerns” within the European Union. In analyzing the bid, it found that “Microsoft and Nuance offer very different products.” Moreover, it believes the company will continue to face “strong” competition from other firms in the future.

Before today, the US and Australia had both signed off on the purchase, but it’s not yet a done deal. On December 13th, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority said it would investigate the transaction. With the regulator accepting public comments until January 10th, 2022, it’s unlikely the deal will close by the end of 2021 as Microsoft had said it would when it first announced its intention to buy Nuance.