Google’s Pixel Buds are more than a pair of wireless earbuds. Equipped with an inbuilt language translator and assorted Google AI tricks, they promise to be essential travel accessories – particularly when holidaying or working abroad. If you’re keen to get your hands on some, here is the pricing, specifications and release date for Australia!
What are Pixel Buds and why should you care?
The Pixel Buds are Bluetooth 4.0 earbuds that support AAC and A2DP along with hands-free calling. Their chief selling point is a pair of built-in microphones that allow the wearer to to speak to Google Assistant when using a compatible Android phone.
If you have a Pixel smartphones, the Pixel Buds can be used with the Google Translate app. This allows you to have a conversation with someone speaking a foreign language in real time – just like all those sci-fi movies of old. 40 languages are currently supported.
The earbuds boast a reasonable five-hour battery life and come bundled with a carry case that doubles as a USB-C charger. Crucially, the buds are also connected together with a cable that rests behind the neck, making them much harder to lose compared to Apple’s Airpods.
They currently come in a choice of three colours: black, white and blue. (Or “Just Black”, “Clearly White” and “Kinda Blue” to use Google’s quirky vernacular.)
Google Pixel Buds specifications
| Google Pixel Buds | |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wireless / Bluetooth |
| Ports & Connectors | USB-C for charging |
| Colours | Just Black, Clearly White or Kinda Blue |
| Earbud dimensions | 20.4mm x 20.4mm x 20.5 mm |
| Weight | 14g |
| Battery | 120 mAh (earbuds), 620 mAh (charging case) |
| Battery time | 5 hours of listening time |
| Sensors | Microphone, Accelerometer, Capacitive touchpad |
| OS support | Android 5.0 Lollipop or higher, iOS 10.0 or higher |
Google Pixel Buds: Pricing and availability
The Pixel Buds will set you back $249 in Australia. This is significantly more expensive than the US pricing, which sits at $159. Even after the exchange rate and US sales tax are taken into account, that’s a pretty hefty markup.
Google has yet to announce an official Australian launch date, but the product is expected to ship sometime in November. If you’re keen to snap a pair up asap, you can join Google’s waiting list here. You’ll then receive a notification as soon as they become available.
[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/10/we-review-pixel-buds-googles-wireless-headphones/” thumb=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/10/Pixel-Buds-410×231.jpg” title=”We Tested Pixel Buds, Google’s Wireless Headphones” excerpt=”The newly-unveiled Pixel Buds promise to be the ultimate travel companion. In addition to putting your music and all the power of Google in reach at all times, they offer instant vocal translations straight into your ear – just like a real-life Babel fish.
Unveiled at the Made By Google event in San Francisco, the $249 earbuds don’t yet have an Australian release date but are expected to be available by the end of the year. They’re part of a slew of new Google-made hardware including the Pixel 2 smartphones, a Pixelbook laptop, new Google Home speakers and the Clips camera.”]
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.