Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Enhanced AI Features: Noise cancellation, transparency mode, and ‘At a Glance’ sports updates
Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 have taken a significant leap forward in audio technology, featuring the new custom Tensor A1 chip and advanced features like transparency mode enhancements. Additionally, Google’s ‘At a Glance’ widget on Pixel devices could soon include sports updates, offering even more contextual information. Let’s dive into the innovations and what they mean for users.
Why Pixel Buds Pro 2 Use Tensor A1: Beyond Off-the-Shelf Chips
When developing the Pixel Buds Pro 2, Google set ambitious goals: improving noise cancellation and audio quality while maintaining a compact design. The solution was the Tensor A1 chip, custom-designed to meet these needs. Off-the-shelf audio chips simply didn’t provide the performance or power efficiency required.
- Enhanced Noise Cancellation: The Tensor A1 dramatically increases the speed of audio processing, from the original Pixel Buds Pro’s 5–6 times the speed of sound to an impressive 90 times. This allows the earbuds to isolate external sounds, cancel noise, and generate “anti-noise” for any sound leakage before it reaches your ears.
- Independent Audio Pathways: By separating audio processing from active noise cancellation (ANC), the earbuds ensure better sound clarity and consistent ANC performance.
Google’s Silicon team developed the Tensor A1 based on performance benchmarks, computational needs, and energy efficiency targets provided by the Pixel Buds team. The chip design, finalized in 2023, paved the way for the Buds Pro 2’s September 2024 launch.
Design and Comfort: A Focus on Ergonomics
Google also reimagined the physical design of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 for improved comfort and fit. The company analyzed where earbuds naturally sit in the ear and where they could cause pressure. This research led to the inclusion of a stabilizer fin that locks the earbuds securely in place.
To ensure comfort and usability, Google expanded its testing pool to include a broader range of participants. By standardizing surveys and removing bias, they gathered data to refine the design and fit further.
Transparency Mode: Clearer Surroundings, Future Enhancements
Transparency mode, a feature that lets users hear external sounds while listening to audio, received significant improvements. Testing revealed that users prioritized the absence of unnatural sound artifacts, such as distorted ambient sounds. Google refined the mode to provide more natural audio replication.
- Future Focus Areas: Upcoming developments may include enhancements for self-voice clarity, which will improve how users hear their own voices during conversations while using transparency mode.
Pixel ‘At a Glance’ Widget: Sports Scores on the Horizon
Google’s ‘At a Glance’ widget may soon become more feature-rich, with plans to include live sports updates. This feature will pull scores and updates directly from the Google app, making them visible on your lock screen or home screen.
- Gemini Branding: Code references suggest the widget might adopt Google’s Gemini branding. While the specifics are unclear, this could imply AI-based summarization of sports scores, moving beyond simple notifications.
Currently, sports updates in ‘At a Glance’ remain unavailable, but the inclusion signals Google’s focus on integrating real-time, context-aware information into its ecosystem.
Availability and Pricing
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are already available for purchase, with a Black Friday discount of $50 on the Google Store and select retailers. These advancements highlight Google’s commitment to pairing cutting-edge audio technology with user-centric design.
Final Thoughts: A Blend of Innovation and AI Integration
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 represent a step forward in personalized audio experiences, thanks to the Tensor A1 chip and refined noise-canceling capabilities. Meanwhile, features like sports scores in the ‘At a Glance’ widget point to Google’s broader vision of integrating AI-driven insights into everyday user interactions. Whether through better audio processing or smarter contextual updates, these innovations make Google’s ecosystem increasingly intuitive and seamless.
Google Wallet can now store digital versions of your US passport! This can be used for domestic travel security checks at TSA checkpoints if your state doesn’t offer a digital ID yet.
Here’s how to add your passport to Google Wallet:
- Open the Google Wallet app on your Android phone (version 9 or later).
- Tap “Add to Wallet” and then “ID” followed by “ID Pass.”
- Follow the steps to scan your passport information page and the security chip inside the back cover.
- Record a short video of yourself for verification.
Important things to remember:
- This digital passport isn’t a replacement for your physical passport, so always carry both when traveling.
- It currently only works for domestic travel within the US.
- If you lose your phone, you can remove the digital passport from your Google account.
Pixel phones get new features to improve battery health!
The latest update lets you set a charging limit of 80% to slow down battery degradation. There’s also a hidden feature called “bypass charging” that might be even more helpful.
What is bypass charging?
With bypass charging, when your battery reaches 80%, your phone will continue to use power directly from the charger instead of the battery. This reduces wear and tear on the battery, especially while gaming or using demanding apps.
Is bypass charging available on all Pixel phones?
It’s not entirely clear yet. The 80% charging limit works on many Pixel models, but bypass charging has only been confirmed on the Pixel 8 Pro so far. It likely works on Pixel 8, 8a, and the Pixel 9 series too, but Google hasn’t officially confirmed this.
Pixel Screenshots get smarter!
The latest update for Pixel Screenshots on Pixel 9 phones integrates with Gboard. Now, when you take a screenshot that includes a movie, song, or product, Pixel Screenshots remembers that information.
How does this help?
For example, if you screenshot a song title and then open a music app, Gboard might autofill the song name for you. This feature is called “proactive recall.”
Other Pixel Screenshots updates:
- The image viewer now suggests more search terms based on your screenshots.
- The app automatically categorizes your screenshots (this might take some time).
- You can easily save a specific part of a screenshot with “Circle to Search.”
This update also brings new features to Gboard, including a sticker pack and the ability to browse Emoji Kitchen combinations.
Gemini Gets a Mini Makeover:
- The website’s text field now looks like the mobile app.
- The Android app now shows your Gemini model type (like “1.5 Pro”).
40 New Templates for Google Docs:
- Google Docs has added new, modern templates for various uses like business proposals or meeting notes.
- These templates are designed to save you time by providing a starting point for your document.
- You can find them by going to File > New > From template gallery.
Customize Your Google Messages Profile:
- Google Messages now lets you easily edit your profile information, including name and picture.
- This helps people you message recognize you better.
More to Come:
- Google says to expect even more new Docs templates in the future.
- Google Messages’ profile feature is rolling out to everyone soon.
Some Pixel users who have updated to Android 15 QPR1 have noticed a strange visual bug. The update seems to be mixing up the light and dark themes for app icons.
For example, if your phone is set to light mode, you might see app icons appear in their dark mode versions. Conversely, if your phone is in dark mode, you might see light mode app icons. This can make the phone’s interface look inconsistent and a bit jarring.
This issue is particularly noticeable with themed icons, which are designed to match the system’s color scheme. However, due to this bug, they appear in the opposite color scheme, creating a visual mismatch.
While this is a minor bug, it can be quite annoying for users who prefer a consistent look and feel on their devices. Fortunately, Google is aware of the issue and is working on a fix. It’s likely that this bug will be addressed in a future update.
In the meantime, users will have to wait patiently for a resolution. While there’s no official workaround at the moment, some users have reported that switching between different accent colors and then reverting back to the original color scheme might temporarily fix the issue. However, this is not a guaranteed solution and may vary depending on the device and Android version.
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