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The second-gen Pixel Buds are just over 10 months old and have given Google a respectable pair of headphones following the original 2017 offering. Audio apparel is a very active category right now with fierce competition. , and it would be wise for Made by Google not to wait 2 to 3 years before releasing another product, especially since there are many places where they can take the line.
The Pixel Buds line so far
Google’s foray into wireless headphones began in October 2017. Announced at the second Made by Google event, the Pixel Buds were joined by the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, the Pixelbook, Google Home Mini and Max , 2nd Generation Daydream View, and Google Clips. It was a busy event that reflected the material ambition of the company.
The first generation heads had circular tactile surfaces that accept swipes / taps and are connected by a braided cord. This cable can be adjusted to fit and allow you to wear the Pixel Buds around your neck when not in use. It was complicated to place them in (and remove them from) their charging case, since you had to wrap this tether around the perimeter.
Battery life was estimated at 5 hours of listening time, while the square, fabric-covered casing held a full day of power.
Second-generation Pixel Buds were announced at Made by Google 2019. Around this time, Google learned how to create truly wireless headphones (TWEs). The company kept the round tactile surfaces, but opted for soft-fit, interchangeable tips that are part of a “three-point anchoring system” to keep the Pixel Buds flush and secure. There is also a “stabilization arc” that lines up with the outer curvature of the ear, while a “retention curve” corresponds to the lower valley of your ear. A “space vent” prevents the “blocked ear feeling” and allows users to hear their surroundings.
There are 12mm dynamic drivers and IPX4 water / sweat resistance with dual beam microphones in each bud suppressing background noise. A voice accelerometer detects speech using jaw vibration and infrared proximity sensors detect when the earbuds are worn out for automatic play / pause.
Google kept the battery life of the original, but the case – now egg-shaped – can be charged wirelessly in addition to USB-C.
What the new Pixel Buds could do |
Since the launch in April, Google has extended the international and color (Just Black, Oh So Orange, Quite Mint) availability of Pixel Buds. There were a handful of bugfixes aimed at fixing the stability and audio cuts reported by some users, as well as a feature drop in August.
Software
But beyond that, there has been no indication from Google on what lies ahead. In 2019, the Pixel Buds were touted as an example of Google’s vision for “ambient computing,” and for the technology to be always accessible. As such, Assistant is a big part of the experiment with “Hey Google” keyword detection available to accept voice commands, while the company continues to promote real-time translations.
However, aside from the ease of access, it’s more or less the same assistant you have access to on your phone. What is more promising is how Google originally launched “useful experiments that make good use of machine learning chips on the device.” One of those features today is Adaptive Sound to adjust the volume as you move around the world, and Attention Alerts that reduce the volume to let you hear dogs bark, cry, and sirens better.
Google could certainly do more to develop this. Wearables are closely linked to the idea of audio augmented reality. Pixel Buds could become contextually smarter by offering notifications and information based on where you are in the world and what you’re doing.
Equipment
Physically, Google could do a lot more. For starters, Google could fix the audio cuts that some users are categorically reporting. The company can only do as much software optimization if there is a physical reason why some owners are in trouble. Google could release a more expensive version that works in more environments and conditions, while adding other features.
Active noise cancellation (ANC) would be most important for those who want a more premium TWE experience. Since environmental AI is already capable of detecting noises, Google could be doing smart things by temporarily pausing ANC when someone tries to talk to you.
Besides the new Pixel Buds Pro, Google could go the other way and explore the low end. My colleague Kyle Bradshaw suggested that Google would be wise to publish a a– Line of Pixel Buds cheaper than $ 179. Something approaching $ 100 would help popularize the Pixel Buds brand. Possible compromises could involve having only one touch sensitive button or tampering with keyword detection.
Meanwhile, not everyone is a fan of the headphone form factor. With the AirPods Max, Apple has clearly shown that there is an interest in smart in-ear headphones. Google would be less constrained by having to integrate so much technology in a compact space. It would also be a fun design playground for them to explore materials (fabrics) with colors.
When could the new Pixel Buds be released?
If the 2019 offer had indeed launched the year it was announced, Made by Google 2021 this fall would be a prime candidate for when we hear of new Pixel Buds. However, they arrived in April 2020 and didn’t see a wider international launch until July.
A direct (i.e. a third generation) tracking of the Pixel Buds below the one-year mark seems premature. That said, it’s not too early for the Pixel Buds variants that are helping to expand the family. Basically, the wireless earbuds space is very active and sticking to the previous one would mean Google is left out of the conversation.
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