Pixel Buds Features, Specs: How Real-Time Translation Works

By Kristinova V. Justimbaste, Christian Post Contributor Monday, October 09, 2017

Google continues to improve its artificially intelligent software, Assistant, aiming to make it available on TV, laptop, or through one's car. The company's first-ever headphones will help them do so.

At Google's annual fall hardware gala, the company unveiled their wireless earbuds, which could easily be seen as their counterpart for Apple's AirPods. Apart from assuring high-quality sound and connectivity, the headphones were made to usher in a more user-friendly Google Translate app.

Juston Payne, Google's product manager, explained at the keynote event how the real-time translation of Pixel Bud works. Unlike the previous set-up wherein speakers would have to tap the microphone and speak into it to have the utterance translated, and then show it to the other party for them to understand, Google offers a conversation-like experience through Pixel Buds.

Users would simply have to speak in their native language and the software translates it according to the setting. Assistant would then produce the output through the phone's speaker.

Once the recipient responds to that message, the message will then be translated into the user's native language. And this will be heard through the Pixel Buds.

Here is the catch: this can only be experienced if tech enthusiasts pair the Pixel Buds with a Pixel phone. If it is any other phone, even though it is equipped with Assistant, it will not work. Google currently supports 40 languages.

The Pixel Buds is designed for everyday use. It is not advised for active-use like jogging or training. Unlike Apple's AirPods, this device comes with a small cord that goes behind one's neck. Champy said that their research indicates that majority of users prefer having a cord.

Much like any premium headphone, Google ensures consumers that it sounds good playing music.

Google's Pixel Buds will be available in Nov. for $159.