Google has unveiled its first AI headphones with a smart assistant built in.
Called PixelBuds, the new headphones will use Google’s Assistant software – and can do everything from play music wirelessly to translate languages.
The firm revealed the $149 headphones alongside a raft of new hardware including its Pixel 2 phones, two new AI speakers and even an AI camera.
Called PixelBuds, the new headphones will use Google’s Assistant software – and can do everything from play music wirelessly to translate languages.
The firm showed off the headphones on stage using a conversation between two Google employees- one speaking Swedish, and one English.
The PixelBuds piped the translated audio into the persons ear’s, while they were able to talk in their own language and have it translated into the other person’s ears – or read out via their phone.
‘What if your headphones could do more than let you listen to your favorite music?,’ Google’s Adam Champy wrote announcing the new products.
‘What if they could help you get things done without having to look at your phone? What if they could help you answer (almost!) any question just by asking, or even help you understand someone speaking a different language?’
The new headphones will offer help from the Google Assistant.
‘We wanted to make a more helpful pair of headphones, so today, we’re introducing Google Pixel Buds,’ the firm said.
‘These wireless headphones not only sound great, they are seamless to use and charge.’
The Pixel Buds can translate between languages in real time using Google Translate on Pixel.
All of the the audio controls are in a touchpad on the right earbud.
‘It’s like you’ve got your own personal translator with you everywhere you go,’ the firm says.
‘Say you’re in Little Italy, and you want to order your pasta like a pro.
‘All you have to do is hold down on the right earbud and say, ‘Help me speak Italian.’
GOOGLE’S AI CLIP CAMERA
The small, square device, called Google Clips, can be attached to something stationary so it can capture images of everything within its range of view.
It will rely on artificially intelligence to know the best times to snap a photo or record video.
Google’s new wireless AI Clips Camera is designed for pet owners and parents to automatically capture key moments in their loved one’s lives
Google is promising that privacy controls built into Clips will give the camera’s users complete control over which images they want to transfer to another device or share with someone else.
Clips will sell for almost $250 and will be available in stores in December.
‘As you talk, your Pixel phone’s speaker will play the translation in Italian out loud. When the waiter responds in Italian, you’ll hear the translation through your Pixel Buds. ‘
All of the the audio controls are in a touchpad on the right earbud.
Users swipe forward or backward to control volume and tap to play or pause your music.
If you have an upcoming meeting or you’re waiting on a text from a friend, the Assistant can alert you to a calendar event or incoming message, and even read it to you if you can’t look at your phone at that moment.
Google said they will be available in November for $159 in the U.S. and are available to pre-order today.
Pixel Buds come in three colors—Just Black, Clearly White and Kinda Blue—to match your Pixel 2.
They’ll be available in November for $159 in the U.S. and are available to pre-order today.
They’re also coming to Canada, U.K., Germany, Australia and Singapore in November.