Live data from Hacker News

Google Pixel Buds

blog.google

321–330 of 375 posts

Re: Google Pixel Buds

#321
post #4

What's up with google and their inability to: A. Launch products, both software and hardware, worldwide (or at least majority of countries). B. Launch products with clear dates and not just "Join a waiting list". At least in German store that's the only option.

On the Dutch store the product is not even there. There's simply no mention of it at all.

The above link works, but just shows other products.

Re: Google Pixel Buds

#322
post #177

I'm very happy to see better competition with Apple's AirPods. And visually, these look fantastic -- distinct but just as tasteful. The lack of active noise cancellation still seems to leave Google a "generation behind" here, but playing catch-up is still a great thing. But more than anything, I'm fascinated by the "Adaptive Sound" mode. Seriously, for years I've wanted my headphones (and laptop speakers) to auto-adj…

It would be cool if it could (somehow) detect a person speaking directly to you and automatically lower content being played while raising the external microphone volume—assuming it has a feature similar to AirPod Pro’s transparent mode.

Even humans cannot understand if something is directed towards them until non-verbal signs say so or your name is called. (Which depending on the name might have a lot of false positives)

Re: Google Pixel Buds

#323
post #57
post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder if people signing up to that waiting list will start seeing a lot more adverts for headphones across YouTube and Google Search. I'd wager entering an email address on the site doesn't just put you on a mailing list for Pixel Buds.

Pretty sure that'd be in violation of things like GDPR and risk netting them fines. Also, why would they add you to a list of "people interested in other brand headphones" when you sign up because you're interested in theirs?

Google already does targeted advertising and operates under GDPR.

Re: Google Pixel Buds

#324
post #4

What's up with google and their inability to: A. Launch products, both software and hardware, worldwide (or at least majority of countries). B. Launch products with clear dates and not just "Join a waiting list". At least in German store that's the only option.

To be fair, very few companies even try to launch products worldwide, or even in a majority of countries. A lot of the time, they can't even launch in the entire EU. Apple seems to be doing better, but Microsoft, Google, Sony and Nintendo are all very bad at this (to name a few I've had problems with).

samsung does it, and they are smaller than google (money wise)

i still don't understand how google cannot just improve their hardware branch.

Re: Google Pixel Buds

#325
post #90

"Get real-time translations right in your ear". This immediately made me think of the babelfish from Hitchhiker's Guide. Looking forward to reading some reviews of these.

Had a Google hangouts meeting with a US and an AU participant, and I'm from Sweden, and amazingly enough Hangouts (or is it Meet now?) can provide close to real-time closed captions (subtitles), with a very high degree of accuracy. It also shows who is saying something, so subs may be, PartA: Who's going? PartB: I'm going. PartC: When is it? What boggles my mind is why it doesn't immediately after the meeting end, Ha…

I think the option to save the transcript is available only to the organiser of the call.

Re: Google Pixel Buds

#326

I'm very happy to see better competition with Apple's AirPods. And visually, these look fantastic -- distinct but just as tasteful. The lack of active noise cancellation still seems to leave Google a "generation behind" here, but playing catch-up is still a great thing. But more than anything, I'm fascinated by the "Adaptive Sound" mode. Seriously, for years I've wanted my headphones (and laptop speakers) to auto-adj…

Motorcycle helmet speakers have adaptive volume, at least at the quality end of the market.

You can't quite walk around everywhere with a helmet on, but I do give it a good try with my flip up - I'm rarely stopped when shopping etc. - twice in 13 years.

Re: Google Pixel Buds

#327

> Listen all day long. > Get up to 5 hours with a single charge, If quarantine has taught me anything, it's that 5 hours is not all day lol. I've switched to wired headphones because my wireless weren't working for me working/walkingaround/etc all day, unlike when I was working and I'd only wear them during the commute in, gym, and commute home.

> 10-minute charge of earbuds in the wireless charging case delivers up to 2 hours of listening time and up to 1 hour of talk time. I think it could work for me given the case provides 24 hours of listening time. I sure don't mind taking 10 minutes break every 2 hours or so. Disc: Googler.

I have a Bluetooth headphone with 14 hour life and keeping track of the battery and remembering to charge it is already really distracting.

2 hours sounds like an absolute nightmare.

Re: Google Pixel Buds

#328
post #291

All: just so you know, we changed the URL from https://store.google.com/product/pixel_buds to a more readable article. Some of the comments are about the original site.

Visiting that link takes me to the store, but no buds listed there. Maybe they're region-locked? (Note: Not redirected. It's that same URL, but only lists other products).

Based on using some various "view site from different locations" websites, Brazil can't see it, Italy and Japan get "we aren't in your region", and Sweden gets a list of other products.

Re: Google Pixel Buds

#330

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 10-minute charge of earbuds in the wireless charging case delivers up to 2 hours of listening time and up to 1 hour of talk time. I think it could work for me given the case provides 24 hours of listening time. I sure don't mind taking 10 minutes break every 2 hours or so. Disc: Googler.

I have a Bluetooth headphone with 14 hour life and keeping track of the battery and remembering to charge it is already really distracting. 2 hours sounds like an absolute nightmare.

It's a different mindset. The buds charge in a case so whenever you're doing anything else you just drop them in. They charge very fast so I can go days without realizing the battery is draining just by habits. It's only when I don longer session that I hit it.
Post reply on HN