Google Launches New Pixel Buds

Google has launched new Pixel Buds, three years after the launch of the original model.

They cost $179 and can be purchased directly from the Google Store. They are currently only available in the US - UK buyers can join a waiting list on the Google Store.

The new truly wireless buds are only available in the "Clearly White" colour from today, but Google plans to release them in three other colours; "Quite Mint", "Oh So Orange" and "Almost Black". They have a five hour playback time, with an extra 19 hours in the charging case.

To give you clear calls, even in noisy and windy environments, Pixel Buds combine signals from beamforming mics and a special sensor that detects when your jaw is moving. This helps so you don't have to look for a quiet place to take a call.

“Adaptive Sound is perfect for those moments like when you’re steaming milk for a latte, or when you're washing your hands or the dishes. Those noises can eclipse your audio experience for a bit, until the latte, or your dishes are done.”

- Basheer Tome, Senior Hardware Interface Designer

To help, Adaptive Sound temporarily and subtly adjusts your volume to accommodate for the new noise in your environment, and goes back to normal after it’s dissipated. It works kind of like auto-brightness on your phone screen: It momentarily adjusts to the world around you to make the experience of using your device a little simpler.

In addition, you can use ’Hey, Google’ on thePixel Buds and control your music. You can also hear notifications, and reply to a text message with just your voice and Google Assistant.

Google Assistant can also be used to navigate and check your fitness progress hands-free while juggling a leash and bag of dog treats.

Google also used Google Translate on Pixel Buds to reduce language barriers. Making the conversation as natural as possible even with the use of the phone was important, so the company decided to create the split screen UI to show exactly what was being said, and translating it in real time on the screen with conversation mode.

In addition, if an earbud falls out when you’re walking or running, you know right away. But you may be less aware when you return home and absentmindedly put them down somewhere. So Google built the ability to let you ring your earbuds from your phone. You can ring one earbud at a time, to focus on finding either the left or right earbud. The moment your hands touch the lost earbud, the ringing will stop.

Like Pixel phones and other Google devices, Pixel Buds will get better over time with new features, including an update to Find My Device which will show the last known location of your earbuds.

Pixel Buds are available through the Google Store and retailers including AT&T, Best Buy, Target (coming early May), T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon and Walmart. Pixel Buds will come to more countries in the coming months as well.

Tech specs

Dimensions and weight: Each earbud (Not incl. eartip and stabilizer arc): 20.5 X 19.5 X 18.2mm
5.3 g
Wireless charging case: 63 X 47 X 25mm
56.1g without earbuds, 66.7g with earbuds
Sweat and water resistant (IPX4)
Each earbud: Bluetooth 5.0
Each earbud: Custom-designed 12mm dynamic speaker driver
Passive noise reduction: Spatial vent for in-ear pressure reduction and spatial awareness
Each earbud:

Dual beamforming microphones
Voice detecting accelerometer

Earbuds: Up to 5 hours of listening time and up to 2.5 hours of talk time
Earbuds with wireless charging case: Up to 24 hours of listening time and up to 12 hours of talk time
10-minute charge of earbuds in the wireless charging case delivers up to 2 hours of listening time and up to 1 hour of talk time
Wireless charging case: USB-C charging port, Qi Certified
Sensors:

Each earbud: Capacitive touch sensors for music, calls, and Google Assistant controls
Dual IR proximity sensors for in-ear detection to play and pause automatically
Motion-detecting accelerometer and gyroscope
Wireless charging case: Hall Effect sensor for case close detection