Google Announces Apple AirPods Competitor Pixel Buds Wireless Headphones

Google announced a lot of new devices yesterday, and one of the most interesting things the company announced was its own pair of wireless headphones. Called the Pixel Buds, the headphones are able to translate languages in real time and pairs seamlessly to the new Pixel 2 smartphones.

Google’s Pixel Buds wireless headphones aren’t completely wireless like Apple’s AirPods, but the former seem to be competing against the latter with the same price tag of $159. The Pixel Buds’ design is a bit reminiscent of the BeatsX as it also comes with a wire that loops around the wearer’s neck. Google calls this the fabric loop that keeps the headphones secure while also offering a comfortable fit by being adjustable.

Like the Apple AirPods, the Pixel Buds can offer five hours of battery life. It also comes with its own pocket-sized charging case which should be able to provide an additional 24 hours of battery life. The charging case of the Pixel Buds are also useful for pairing the headphones to the Pixel and Pixel 2 smartphones. Opening the case will instantly bring up Google Assistant to ask the user if they want to connect the Pixel Buds. This feature will also work with other smartphones running Android 7.0 Nougat or higher.

Google Assistant also works with the wireless headphones. The Pixel buds feature touch controls on the right earbud. To trigger Assistant, users will simply have to touch and hold on the right earbud and start talking. With Assistant on board, users will be able to get directions, place phone calls and play music through voice commands, according to Engadget.

Aside from using Assistant, touch controls are also available for controlling music playback, answering calls and adjusting volume. A single tap on the right earbud will play or pause music and can be used to answer calls. A swipe forward and backward adjusts the volume. The only thing that’s not available through touch control is skipping music, which will require help from Google Assistant.

The real standout feature of the Pixel Buds is that it’s able to translate between languages in real time. This is made possible through Google Translate on the Pixel smartphone. The idea here is like providing users with their own personal translator wherever they go.

“All you have to do is hold down on the right earbud and say, ‘Help me speak Italian.’ As you talk, your Pixel phone’s speaker will play the translation in Italian out loud,” Google said on its blog. “When the waiter responds in Italian, you’ll hear the translation through your Pixel Buds. If you’re more of a sushi or French food fan, no need to worry—it works in 40 languages.”

As for actual sound quality, the jury's still out on that one. The Verge had some time to test out a dummy model of the Pixel Buds and stated that it "exceeded" expectations for overall sound quality and bass response. The site said that the headphones were able to deliver clear highs and provided better basslines than most other wireless headphones with this type of design.

The Pixel Buds are available in just black, clearly white and kinda blue color options, the same available colors for the new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones. Google says that its new wireless headphones will be available some time in November for $159 in the U.S. and are now available to pre-order from the Google Store. The Pixel Buds will also arrive in November for Canada, the U.K., Germany, Australia and Singapore.