Google introduced the Pixel Buds Pro last year, and today, the company is rolling out its biggest update yet for them with more Google AI-powered improvements and intelligence. Some, though not all of the features, work when using the Buds Pro alongside the new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones. The Buds Pro will also now come in two new colours: Bay and Porcelain, which complements the colours of the new smartphones and the Pixel Watch 2.
With the new AI smarts, Pixel Buds Pro now support Bluetooth Super Wideband on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, which doubles the bandwidth for voices. This, says Google, makes you sound fuller, clearer, and more natural.
This wider bandwidth also extends to Clear Calling, which reduces the background noise around the person on the other side of the call, enhancing their voice so you can hear them even more clearly. Clear Calling models have also been improved overall to better distinguish voices from background noise.
With the help of AI, you no longer need to take out your earbuds for conversations. When you enable Conversation Detection, AI detects when you start speaking and responds by pausing your music and switching to Transparency Mode, allowing you to hear all that is being said. When you stop speaking, the feature automatically resumes your music and turns on Active Noise Cancellation. This way, you can interact with the world around you and go back to enjoying your music with no distractions without having to lift a finger.
Pixel Buds Pro now also offer a more immersive and dynamic gaming experience by minimizing the inherent latency with gaming on Bluetooth. Available with Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel Buds Pro reduce the delay in transmitting audio from phone to earbuds for compatible games on your Pixel phone.
For those concerned about hearing wellness, you can now understand and assess your listening behaviours and get suggestions on how to maintain hearing wellness over time. On the Pixel Buds Pro app, you can access a record of your listening habits and it will let you know when to lower the volume.
Pixel Bud Pros are built to work great across the full Pixel portfolio and with other Android phones, and now the Pixel Buds app is rolling out to Chromebooks. Through the web app, you can change earbud settings, switch noise control modes, and install firmware updates, all from your Chromebook.
The software update will start rolling out today for new and existing Pixel Buds Pro users. You can also pre-order Pixel Buds Pro in the newest colors for $260.