The upcoming wireless AI-powered earbuds from Google, Pixel Buds 2, with the Clearly White color variant. (Image via Android Central)

Pixel Bud 2, Google's answer to Apple's Airbuds?

On Tuesday, together with Pixel 4 and 4XL, Google also unveiled other new products during its “2019 Made by Google” event in New York. One of which is the upcoming Pixel Bud 2. It is said to be Google’s answer to Apple’s Airpods, a challenge for the tech company to make a wireless earbud.

The Pixel Buds’ design changed completely to be more in-ear than buds with silicone ear tips and ear hooks. With this design, Pixel Buds 2 assures a more comfortable, noise-free listening experience. Compared to Apple’s Airpods’ design which looks exactly like an earbud, Pixel Buds cancel outside noise better.

Some people hate to have their ears completely shut up, complaining they can hear other noises. Therefore, Google added “ambient vents” on the Pixel Buds 2 so that they can allow a bit of outside noise in. Like almost every wireless listening device, Pixel Buds 2 is water and sweat resistant, so, you can use it while working out.

Google added a magical feature in the Pixel Buds 2. Without microphones, if you want to activate your Google Assistant, you can simply say “Hey, Google” or “Hello, Google”, depending on how you set it.

Pixel Buds 2 also beam microphones for each of its buds and have sensors to keep track of your jaws so that they could detect whether you are talking or speaking to the Google Assistant. For connectivity, Pixel Buds 2 can still connect as far as three rooms away.

If your smartphone uses Android Nougat or above, Pixel Buds 2 are going to be equipped with other features as it will be updated gradually. The users are expecting features such as live translation and Adaptive Sound. With Adaptive Sound, Pixel Buds 2 will adjust the volume of your music according to how noisy is your surroundings.

Pixel Buds 2 also automatically detect whether they are in your ears or not. When you plug them out of your ears, Pixel Buds 2 automatically stopped playing music. Provided with Type-C charging jack, Pixel Buds 2 last five-hour battery life with an additional 19-hour juice after being charged. It also supports wireless charging.

However, if you want to experience Pixel Buds 2, you will have to wait until early 2020. While Pixel 4 and 4XL will be available for shipping on 24 October this year, Pixel Buds 2 will be available in Spring 2020 at US$179. For the color variants, they have four colors, three of which are identical to Pixel 4 and 4XL: Clearly White, Just Black, Quite Mint, and Oh So Orange.

We predict that in the six-month interval, various wireless earbuds will come and go. Eventually, it is up to you whether or not you want to wait for Pixel Buds 2.

Source: https://cnet.co/2MUwWZs