The journey into the realm of generative AI gadgets has largely been underwhelming. Products such as the AI Pin by Humane and the Rabbit R1 arrived with a lot of fanfare but ultimately did not live up to the expectations, becoming casualties of their own hype. Despite the rocky start, the optimism for generative AI in consumer tech persists. It’s making waves in portable gadgets, with earbuds being a notable area of expansion. Google’s unveiling of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 at the recent Made By Google Event is a bold stride towards innovating within this space.
These earbuds make their debut over two years since the launch of their predecessors, featuring prominently among the hardware showcased at the event, with Google emphasizing the integration of generative AI, especially Gemini Live’s interactive prowess.
Google conveyed to TechCrunch that Gemini Live enables users to engage in realistic dialogues with an AI assistant, akin to conversing with a trusted friend. Remarkably, this interaction remains seamless even with your smartphone tucked away. The assistant can handle a broad spectrum of inquiries, facilitating conversations that are either casual or deep and reflective.
The Pixel Buds offer a glimpse into Google’s long-term vision, attempting to overcome the historical challenge of creating a smart assistant that can engage in natural, fluid conversations. This goal has eluded many for years, with companies struggling to meet the high expectations they set.
Given that large language model (LLM)-based neural networks excel at mimicking human conversation, Gemini Live’s introduction is a strategic move. Nonetheless, the public’s readiness to embrace in-depth discussions with AI through their earbuds may vary, a topic that sociologists might find intriguing.
The integration of Gemini Live, set as the default assistant on the new Pixel 9 series, showcases Google’s innovative stride. The introduction of the Tensor A1 chip in the Buds is a first, demonstrating Google’s expertise in mobile chip manufacturing applied to earbud technology.
With the new chip, there’s a notable reduction in the Buds’ size by 27%, alongside enhanced processing speeds and an extended battery life of up to 12 hours for the Buds, and a total of 48 hours when used with the charging case. Additionally, they support Google’s Find My Device feature, aiding users in locating misplaced Buds or charging cases.
Enhancements in both passive and active noise canceling technologies allow the new Buds to potentially negate twice as much noise as their predecessors. Priced at $229, the Buds are set to start shipping on September 26.
Compiled by Techarena.au.
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