Google’s hardware foray into the Singapore market isn’t as deep as we wish it’d be (still waiting on that Google Home Max, guys), but hey, it’s trying. After launching the impressive Pixel 2 XL here, the tech giant has today launched the perfect accompaniment to its new flagship phone — the Pixel Buds.
Google’s premium wireless headphones are available for purchase via Singtel retail shops and Lazada, and Singapore gets first dibs in Southeast Asia. Though they’re clearly Google’s response to Apple’s own wireless Bluetooth earbuds AirPods, the Pixel Buds work closer to being an intelligent companion in your ears ala Her, thanks to its heavy connection with the Google Assistant.
The earbuds are able to tap into any Google Assistant enabled Android device to get instant voice-activated help, such as playing your Spotify playlists, making phone calls, and even getting directions to nearby amenities. It is a digital PA, so the Pixel Buds will have Google Assistant read out notifications such as upcoming calendar events or incoming messages.
But the apparent raison d’être for Pixel Buds is its real-time translation of 40 languages, a feature conjured by simply pressing the right earbud and saying “help me speak (whatever language you want translating)”. The built-in microphone captures whatever you say and plays the translated version out loud through your Pixel phone. The other person can speak to your Pixel phone, and it’ll translate it right back into your earbuds — making it one step closer to a real-life Babel Fish.
Oh, and did we mention that the Pixel Bud’s translation feature requires a Pixel phone? Because it totally does. No idea if the feature will be rolled out to other Android devices.
Are they actually good though?
It’s a fun toy to have for sure, if you already own a Pixel 2 XL here, but for S$238? Yeesh. My experience with the Pixel Buds has been pretty amusing but spotty — pairing them to various devices is a little bit more cumbersome than expected, and the limited swipe and tap commands (you can only pause, play, adjust the volume, and summon Google Assistant) are a little annoying. Audio is clear, but it just isn’t fantastic due to the lack of bass, while its inability to seal tightly in ear canals mean that you can throw sound isolation out the window because external noise just keeps leaking in.
Google Assistant is still a joy to summon on the earbuds as it is to squeeze on Pixel 2 phones, and when it works as your digital PA, it’s great. Not so great is when it can’t hear your commands in public, meaning bewildered stares on the train when you have to bark “play next song” with your finger holding the right earbud.
As for Pixel Buds’ translation feature… the Google Translate app works just as well without the earbuds, and it’s an app that has been around for years on both Android and iOS.
That being said, if you’ve got S$238 to spare and a Pixel 2 XL to go along with it, then sure, go wild as an early adopter of the Pixel Buds. But as far as wireless headphones go, there are many other options that do audio better and don’t cost as much.
