Google just announced wireless headphones called Pixel Buds that do more than just help you listen to music wire-free. The $159 Bluetooth earphones pair with any late-model Android smartphone to bring the power of Google Assistant into your ear. Touch and hold the right earbud to ask your Assistant to play music, make a phone call, or get directions, all without pulling out your phone. Just swipe forward or backward to control volume and tap to play or pause your music. If you have an upcoming meeting or you’re waiting on a text from a friend, the Assistant can alert you to a calendar event or incoming message, and even read it to you if you can’t look at your phone at that moment.
Pixel Buds can translate between 40 languages in real time using Google Translate only with a Pixel or Pixel 2 smartphone. Google says they’re like having your own personal translator where ever you go. Say you’re in Little Italy, and you want to order your pasta like a pro. All you have to do is hold down on the right earbud and say, “Help me speak Italian.” As you talk, your Pixel phone’s speaker will play the translation in Italian out loud. When the waiter responds in Italian, you’ll hear the translation through your Pixel Buds.
For pairing, just open the charging case near your Pixel or Android phone running Android 7.0 Nougat or higher with the Assistant, and your phone will automatically detect them and ask you if you want to connect. Pairing simplicity sounds similar to Apple’s wireless AirPods. Both last 5 hours on a single charge, and both include a case that doubles as a charger for all-day use.
Price and Availability
Google Pixel Buds will be available November 2017 for $159 in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Germany, Australia and Singapore. They come in three colors — Just Black, Clearly White and Kinda Blue.
