The $159 Google Pixel Buds: Google’s Answer to Apple AirPods
Google Pixel Buds were launched at Google’s hardware event in San Francisco. The Pixel Buds are Google’s premium wireless headphones, and just like most of the other hardware launched during the event, the Pixel Buds too are infused with AI. One of the cool features about the wireless earbuds, Google Pixel Buds, was the live and real-time translation. Google even showcased how the featured worked with a flawless demo of the same.
Priced at $159 (roughly Rs. 10,500), it’s easy to see it as a direct competitor to Apple’s AirPods. The Google Pixel Buds are compatible with iOS devices as well (iOS 10 or higher) along with Android phones from 5.0 onwards. But in order to access the Google Assistant feature, a user will need an Android Marshmallow or higher smartphones.
When you normally use the Google Translate app, you need to tap the microphone and speak into your phone, then present it to the other party. However, with Pixel Buds, the app also gets a simplified interface so it’s easier for both parties to communicate, thus making it feel like an actual conversation rather than talking into a device.
After a person speaks in one language, the Pixel Buds translate it to another language, and once it gets the response, the Pixel Buds on the other user translates it back. There are 40 languages supported by the Pixel Buds, and Hindi is on that list.
There is one limitation to the translation feature – real-time translation feature will only work when you use the Pixel Buds with a Google Pixel smartphones, and not any other phone running Assistant.
All the controls for the music are integrated into the right bud. A single tap stops or plays the music. There is even gesture-based input on the tiny surface, and forward or backward swipes will change the volume of the music. Pairing the Pixel Buds with the Google Pixel 2 gives you immediate and permanent access to the Google Assistant.
Google’s Pixel Buds connect via Bluetooth to a smartphone and come with their own charging case, which has a USB-C port. The onboard battery in the Pixel Buds is 120 mAh, while the box has 620 mAh. Pixel Buds will be available in three color options: Black, Blue, and White. The buds also have an inbuilt Microphone, Accelerometer as well.
