AirPods competitor Google Pixel Buds 2 coming in early 2020 for $179
At Tuesday's Google release event, the company announced Google Pixel Buds 2, offering significant improvements over the last iteration -- but if you want them, you're going to have to wait a while.
The Pixel Buds 2 will feature a hybrid design, sealing ear for better bass reception and a "spatial vent" to prevent the "plugged-ear" feeling common with many headphones. Dynamic software will adjust volume as the wearer moves between quiet and noisy areas.
Unlike "stem-style" earbuds such as Apple's AirPods, the Pixel Buds feature a small piece that tucks into the wearer's concha -- the spot above the opening of the ear. They refer to this piece as the "stabilizer arc," designed to keep it in place during heavy workouts. The Pixel Buds also sit flush to the ear, making them somewhat less obvious than other wireless earbuds.
Like most newer Bluetooth devices, the Pixel Buds 2 will have a vastly increased wireless range. Wearers should be able to get roughly 100 yards of wireless range outside, or roughly three rooms indoors.
Two microphones in each earbud will focus on the wearers voice while suppressing the environmental noise. They also feature a voice accelerometer that can detect speech through the vibrations of the jaw, which should help provide clearer calls in windy environments.
The Pixel Buds will automatically detect when they're in a wearers ears and feature touch controls for playing, pausing, and adjusting the volume of music. Wearers should expect five hours of listening time on a single charge, and roughly 24 hours when used in conjunction with the wireless charging case. The pixel buds are sweat and water resistant, so wearers shouldn't need to fear sweaty workouts or rainy days.
While designed with Google Pixel and Android owners in mind, Pixel Buds will still pair with any Bluetooth 4.0+ laptops, tablets, and devices -- including the iPhone, iPad, and Bluetooth-enabled macOS computers.
Pixel Buds feature the Google Assistant and "Hey Google" functionality. This gives wearers the ability to quickly perform basic actions, such as playing audio, sending texts, asking for directions, or even translating a foreign language.
The Google Pixel Buds 2 will be releasing at some time in 2020, will come in orange, mint, white, and black, and are set to feature a retail price of $179.
The Pixel Buds 2 will feature a hybrid design, sealing ear for better bass reception and a "spatial vent" to prevent the "plugged-ear" feeling common with many headphones. Dynamic software will adjust volume as the wearer moves between quiet and noisy areas.
Unlike "stem-style" earbuds such as Apple's AirPods, the Pixel Buds feature a small piece that tucks into the wearer's concha -- the spot above the opening of the ear. They refer to this piece as the "stabilizer arc," designed to keep it in place during heavy workouts. The Pixel Buds also sit flush to the ear, making them somewhat less obvious than other wireless earbuds.
Like most newer Bluetooth devices, the Pixel Buds 2 will have a vastly increased wireless range. Wearers should be able to get roughly 100 yards of wireless range outside, or roughly three rooms indoors.
Two microphones in each earbud will focus on the wearers voice while suppressing the environmental noise. They also feature a voice accelerometer that can detect speech through the vibrations of the jaw, which should help provide clearer calls in windy environments.
The Pixel Buds will automatically detect when they're in a wearers ears and feature touch controls for playing, pausing, and adjusting the volume of music. Wearers should expect five hours of listening time on a single charge, and roughly 24 hours when used in conjunction with the wireless charging case. The pixel buds are sweat and water resistant, so wearers shouldn't need to fear sweaty workouts or rainy days.
While designed with Google Pixel and Android owners in mind, Pixel Buds will still pair with any Bluetooth 4.0+ laptops, tablets, and devices -- including the iPhone, iPad, and Bluetooth-enabled macOS computers.
Pixel Buds feature the Google Assistant and "Hey Google" functionality. This gives wearers the ability to quickly perform basic actions, such as playing audio, sending texts, asking for directions, or even translating a foreign language.
The Google Pixel Buds 2 will be releasing at some time in 2020, will come in orange, mint, white, and black, and are set to feature a retail price of $179.
Comments
Because Apple fans hate knockoffs and reactionary half-assed garbage.
P.S. the first second of that ad is embarrassing how bad it tries to be Apple.
The issue for Google may be the price. Higher priced hardware from Google typically doesn't sell in very high volumes.
Yeah, I know, my ears are shaped wrong, get new ones.
These are not designed anything like AirPods either with nothing projected or hanging from the ears. They also appear to be more securely held in the ear and add niche features like instant translation. In my business dealing with some clientele whose native language is not English that could potentially be advantageous but for most people it's probably not. Maybe a big metro like LA or New York wih so many languages being spoken?
Overall the other functions may be similar to what Apple has to offer (again hardly copied) but no one exactly knows yet.
That, and them being basically disposable due to the batteries not being replaceable is what has made me hold off. However, I think all brands seem to provide no easy way to replace them so it might pay for me to stick with a pair of silicone cheapos and hope reaolves the battery situation along the way.
Google is saying these buds are a good choice for workouts but for me, just getting any bud to stay in and be comfortable is the biggest priority.
Of course the case is far larger than AirPods so some might not find it as easy to carry them around. I haven't had any issues with it though.