Google has officially launched its first set of Google earphones, the Google Pixel Buds. The wireless neckbuds are set to launch in Australia for $249 AUD with shipping expected in November.
The Pixel Buds are good for 5 hours of audio playback, and with the included charging case you can get up to 24 hours playback from a single charge. Unfortunately, at the moment we’ve got no indication how long it will take to charge the Pixel Buds from empty using their fabric covered charging case.
The Pixel Buds feature controls for answering phone calls, adjusting volume, and play or pause media playback all available via a touch pad on the right earbud. Of course you can also invoke the Google Assistant (with a compatible Android Device, sorry iOS people) and get access to all of the Assistant’s voice features right in you ears.
From a design perspective the Pixel Buds are definitely distinct. Incorporating a fabric cord between the two earbuds users can adjust a loop on each earbud to get a custom fit to their ears. The ability to adjust how the buds fit around your ear may just make these some of the best one size fits all earbuds on the market, at least without the need to play Mr Potato head with various tips, wings and bits and pieces.
Using the Pixel Buds you can get real time translation by pairing the earbuds with a Pixel; this allows both participants in a conversation to hear each other in their native language and have a nearly seamless conversation.
The Pixel Buds will also include all of the new Bisto features including having Assistant read new messages. After a notification users can double tap the control pad to have Assistant read out their latest messages.
If you’re a Pixel user pairing will be as simple as opening the charging case and tapping the pairing notification. For all other Android users you’ll just need to be on Android 6 or above.
The Pixel Buds will come in one of three colours – Just Black, Kinda White and Almost Blue, all perfectly matched of course to the colours of the new Pixel 2 phones.
If you’re interested in the Pixel Buds they will be available from selected Telstra and JB Hi-Fi stores and via the Google Store. If you want to be amongst the first to get your hands on a pair you can join the waitlist on the Google Store now.
I’m with Randall (https://xkcd.com/1899/) – Who has ears that allow these things to stay put?
Same price as the Apple Airpods in the US, but $30 more in Australia??
Also I see an issue with that case, first you have to wrap the cord all the way around the edge of the case, then carefully loop the centre? Wow massive pain.
They look great but I don’t think they’re a patch on the Airpods for convenience.