Find out what to expect in Google’s “big” Pixel Buds update

New hardware always piques our interest, but you don’t need a major hardware upgrade to keep users interested. Although we didn’t get a new Pixel Buds model alongside the Pixel 11 last summer, Google updated the Pixel Buds Pro 2 with a new color, and better yet, announced a software update to improve ANC performance. Now, Google is sharing what it says is a “huge,” “massive” update targeting not just the Pro 2, but also the Pixel Buds 2a and the original Buds Pro.

Google announces its version 6.144 Pixel Buds has been updated, and first on its list of changes is the same ANC update promised at the Pixel 11 launch. It’s exclusive to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and dynamically adjusts in real-time, changing audio and ANC settings based on how well the earbuds actually fit in the ear.

But that’s the end of the Google exclusivity today, and the rest of these additions are coming to the Buds Pro, Pro 2, and Buds 2a alike. Here’s everything the company has in store for us:

• 🌍 Advanced live translation: Try the natural way to translate on the go. Leave your phone in your pocket and start translating instantly with a tap on the earpiece. Whether you’re talking to someone or using listening mode to keep up with your surroundings in a foreign language, the Pixel Buds work seamlessly with Google Translate.
• 🗣️ Change audio settings by voice: You can now interact with your bud settings using Gemini voice commands. Just use your voice to turn on active noise cancellation, adjust the equalizer or enable touch controls!
• 🔇 Tap to mute: Now you can mute and unmute the microphone during calls with just a tap.
• 💤 Automatically pause media during sleep: Now your Pixel Buds can rest while you do. Using the sleep-sensing features on the Pixel Watch, your watch can tell you when you’re asleep, and then the buds can pause audio, disable touch gestures, and mute notifications so you get the sleep you need.

Being able to start Live Translate without taking out your phone is a great upgrade when traveling. We’ve even seen Google do the opposite — a Live Translate mode that removes the headphone requirement.

The Gemini has as many haters as there are fans, but we hope everyone can agree that the ease of voice control of the Pixel Buds sounds like a win. The tap-to-mute feature also seems pretty handy, but Google notes that this only works when the Buds are paired with a Pixel phone.

Finally, we like to believe that we know how to remove the headphones before going out for the night, but experience sometimes proves otherwise, and now Google offers us a new useful mode to avoid the consequences of this embarrassment.

Look for these changes in the Pixel Buds any minute.