While Apple recently set the bar high with its second-gen AirPods Pro, Google is now ready to steal the spotlight with an impressive firmware update for its 2022 earbuds, the Pixel Buds Pro. Unveiled at the highly-anticipated Made by Google event, this update promises to be a game-changer for these flagship earbuds.
Google is introducing a slew of new features that are bound to revolutionize your earbud experience. Among these, “conversation detection” stands out. This clever feature, much like Apple and Sony’s counterparts, automatically pauses your audio when it detects you’re about to engage in a conversation. No more frantic searches for your earbuds or phone; Google’s AI technology on the Pixel Buds Pro can now detect your voice, pause the music, and activate transparency mode. When your earbuds no longer pick up your voice, everything seamlessly returns to its previous state, including the reactivation of active noise cancellation (ANC) if it was previously enabled.
Addressing a common gripe, Google is stepping up its call quality game. It’s a notable improvement considering the feedback from last year’s review. The Pixel Buds Pro now support Bluetooth Super Wideband, doubling the bandwidth for voices. The result? Your voice will sound “fuller and clearer” compared to the previous software. What’s more, the Pixel Buds Pro now support Clear Calling on Pixel, effectively combating background noise on the other end of your calls.
With hearing health in mind, Google aims to provide more insights into your listening habits and protect your precious ears. The Pixel Buds app will now monitor your listening volume over time and send you alerts when it’s time to lower it, ensuring your hearing is safeguarded. Gamers will delight in a new low-latency mode that springs into action when you launch a compatible game on a Pixel phone. Google claims this update has halved the latency compared to Pixel Buds Pro with the old software. And there’s more; the Pixel Buds app for these earbuds is now available on Chromebooks, making it a breeze to access settings, noise control modes, and firmware updates right from these devices.
But the style isn’t forgotten. Google is introducing two elegant colour options for the Pixel Buds Pro: Bay (a chic light blue) and Porcelain (a sophisticated cream hue). These additions perfectly match the new Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel Watch 2. They join the existing four colours within the $200 range of wireless earbuds.
The Pixel Buds Pro firmware update begins rolling out today, bringing these remarkable enhancements to both new and existing users. It’s time to elevate your audio experience and enjoy the future of earbuds!
