The Made by Google event is live and taking place right now. And we've started off strongly, with a massive upgrade confirmed for the Google Pixel Buds Pro. In fact, Rick Osterloh – Google's SVP for Devices and Services – even went as far as calling it the biggest upgrade ever.
That starts with an upgrade for Clear Calling. That's been improved to automatically reduce background noise, while also enhancing voices for easier listening. That's also baked straight into the device – no need to switch the feature on or off as needed.
That's not all. The Pixel Buds Pro will be among the first on the market to utilise Bluetooth Super Wide Band technology. That uses twice the bandwidth of previous models, capturing more data to help you hear more clearly.
The difference was shown on stage at the event, and the results are quite staggering. When you pair the Super Wide Band pickup with the Clear Calling technology, you lose the unwanted sound and can focus closely on the voice of the person on the other end.
It's not just calling which gets a boost, either. Auto-pause and transparency mode is a new feature, which will sense when you're talking. It will then pause whatever you're listening to, and turn the Transparency mode on, so that you can freely have a conversation without having to remove your earbuds.
That's great for real world use cases. If you're in line at a coffee shop or just need to quickly check in with a co-worker, you can now do so without having to remove the earbud or grab your phone to pause the music you're listening to.
Last but not least, Google also announced a latency reduction of up to 50%. That's massive for gamers, who will be especially keen to have latency-free, accurate audio when playing. But it's also a great feature to have generally, and should mean less annoyance when consuming content from streaming services and other platforms.
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Oh and as if that wasn't enough, there are also two new colour options coming to the range. Bay Blue and Porcelain options are being added, to tie in with some of the new finishes on the Google Pixel 8 range.
All in all, that's a comprehensive suite of upgraded features for the Pixel Buds Pro. Users will have access to a host of new features, which are not just impressive, but actually useful in real life scenarios. There's no word on exactly when the update will be available, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for more details – we'll update this article when that information comes available.
Sam Cross is an award-winning journalist, with nine years of experience in the media industry. His work can be found in publications as diverse as Oracle Time, Metro and Last Word on Sports.
Here at T3, Sam is best known as the brand’s go-to guy for all things luxurious – from exquisite watches to fine fragrances; the latest performance vehicles to intricate audio equipment, and more.
He’s often found travelling around the world to test new launches, complete with high-end backpacks and suitcases in tow. And when he’s not adding to his air miles, Sam can be found in front of a video camera, bringing his distinctive brand of storytelling to T3’s social media channels.
Sam also loves all things analogue including listening to music on vinyl or cassette, and photography on vintage film cameras.