To complement the new Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, Google is releasing additional colors for its Pixel Buds Pro noise-canceling earbuds. These currently come in blue and porcelain hues that perfectly match the company’s latest mobile devices. I asked if this means any of the previous color options will be phased out.
More importantly, Google announced several new software features that will roll out to its flagship earbuds in the coming weeks. At the top of the list is conversation detection. Yes, just like earbuds from Sony, Apple, and other brands, the Pixel Buds Pro will now be able to sense when you start speaking, at which point it will automatically go into transparency mode and pause what you’re listening to. To do. When you stop talking, the music resumes and noise cancellation turns back on. Conversation detection is an optional setting, so if you have a habit of talking to yourself or singing along to songs, you can avoid it entirely.
The quality of voice calls can also be significantly improved thanks to a one-two punch of new features. First, Pixel Buds Pro now supports his Bluetooth Super Wideband. This, Google says, “gives you twice the audio bandwidth, resulting in richer, clearer sound.” However, according to Google, Bluetooth Super Wideband is limited to his Pixel 8 and newer phones.
Next, Pixel Buds Pro supports Google’s Clear Calling voice enhancement technology to reduce background noise during calls.
The company is also trying to keep its customers mindful of their hearing health with new listening statistics outlining “how loud you’ve been listening to music over time” and whether it’s a good idea to turn the volume down. If you do too much you’ll get a little notification in some cases. Improvements have also been made in terms of mobile gaming. Every time you open a “compatible” game, a new low-latency mode is automatically enabled, which Google says cuts the previously existing delay in half.
New software tricks will be added to the Pixel Buds Pro through future firmware updates, but the earbuds’ latest colors are Available for pre-order now $199.99.
Updated October 4th at 11:45am ET: Added that Bluetooth Super Wideband requires Pixel 8 or later. I found it in the company’s fine print.
