The second generation Pixel Buds are just over 10 months old and gave Google a respectable pair of headphones, following the original 2017 offer. Audio wearable devices are a very active category at the moment, with fierce competition, and it would be smart for Made by Google not to wait 2 to 3 years before launching another product, especially since there are many places where they can get in line.
The Pixel Buds line so far
Google’s onslaught on wireless headsets began in October 2017. Announced at the second Made by Google event, Pixel Buds joined Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, Pixelbook, Google Home Mini and Max, 2nd generation Daydream View and Google Clips. It was a packed event that reflected the company’s hardware ambition.
The first generation buttons had circular touch-sensitive surfaces that accept touch / touch and are connected by a braided cable. This cable can be adjusted to help fit and allow you to wear Pixel Buds around your neck when not in use. It was a nuisance to put (and remove) them in their carrying case, as you had to tie the rope around the perimeter.
The battery life was assessed at 5 hours of listening time, while the square tissue-covered case lasted a full day of energy.
The second generation Pixel Buds were announced at Made by Google 2019. In that time, Google learned how to create truly wireless headphones (TWE). The company kept the round surfaces sensitive to touch, but opted for interchangeable soft tips that are part of a “three point anchoring system” to keep Pixel Buds level and safe. There is also a “stabilizing arch” that aligns with the external curvature of the ear, while a “retention curve” corresponds to the lower valley of the ear. A “space ventilation” prevents the “feeling of a blocked ear” and allows users to hear what is around them.
There are 12 mm dynamic speaker drivers and IPX4 water / sweat resistance with dual beam forming microphones on each button, eliminating background noise. A voice accelerometer detects speech by means of jaw vibrations and the IR proximity sensors detect when the buttons are used for automatic playback / pause.
Google maintained the battery life of the original, but the case – now satisfactorily in egg shape – can be charged wirelessly in addition to USB-C.
What new Pixel Buds could do |
Since launching in April, Google has expanded Pixel Buds’ international and color (Just Black, Oh So Orange, Quite Mint) availability. There were a handful of bug fixes aimed at addressing the stability and audio cuts that some users have reported, as well as a drop in feature in August.
Software
But other than that, there was no indication from Google what is in store. In 2019, Pixel Buds were presented as an example of Google’s vision for “environmental computing” and to have technology always accessible. As such, the Assistant is a big part of the “Hey Google” hotword detection experience available to accept voice commands, while the company continues to announce translations in real time.
However, in addition to the ease of access, it is more or less the same Assistant that you have access to on your phone. What is most promising is how Google originally sparked “useful experiences that make good use of machine learning chips on the device”. One of these features today is Adaptive Sound to adjust the volume as you move around the world, and attention warnings that lower the volume to allow you to hear dogs barking, crying and sirens better.
Google could certainly do more to expand this. Wearables are closely linked to the idea of augmented reality based on audio. Pixel Buds can be contextually smarter by offering notifications and information, depending on where you are in the world and what you are doing.
Hardware
Physically, there’s a lot more that Google could do. For a start, Google could address the audio cuts that some users adamantly report. The company can only optimize the software if there is a physical reason why certain owners are plagued with problems. Google could launch a more expensive version that works in more environments and conditions, while adding other features.
Active noise cancellation (ANC) would be the biggest for those who want a more premium TWE experience. Since environmental AI is already capable of detecting noise, Google could do smart things by having the ANC temporarily paused when someone is trying to reach you.
In addition to the new Pixel Buds Pro, Google could go in the other direction and explore the bottom segment. My colleague Kyle Bradshaw suggested that Google would be wise to launch a one– line of Pixel Buds that cost more than $ 179. Something close to $ 100 would help popularize the Pixel Buds brand. Possible tradeoffs may involve just having a touch-sensitive button or forged hotword detection.
Meanwhile, not everyone is a fan of the shape of the headphones. With AirPods Max, Apple has clearly demonstrated that there is an interest in smart in-ear headphones. Google would be less limited by having to fit so much technology into a compact space. It would also be a fun design playground for them to explore from materials (fabrics) in color.
When can the new Pixel Buds be released?
If the 2019 offer had actually been sent in the year they were announced, Made by Google 2021 this fall would be an excellent candidate for when we hear about the new Pixel Buds. However, they arrived in April 2020 and did not see a wider international launch until July.
A direct follow-up (i.e., a third generation) for Pixel Buds below the one-year mark seems premature. That said, it’s not too early for Pixel Buds variants that help expand the family. Fundamentally, the wireless headset space is very active and following the precedents would mean that Google would be left out of the conversation.
FTC: We use affiliate links for cars that generate revenue. Most.
Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news: