Google’s Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Buds Pro offer some cool new AI software improvements
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Google didn’t just announce the new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro today. It also showed off the new Pixel Watch 2 and improvements to the Pixel Buds Pro earbuds.
While the Pixel Watch hardware has seen a boost over the previous generation, the biggest improvements come from smarter software features designed to improve your experience with the products.
Pixel Watch 2
Google’s acquisition of Fitbit is paying dividends here, with advancements in heart rate tracking thanks to a new multi-path heart-rate sensor. The watch offers offers advanced health features like sleep tracking, heart rate notifications and a daily readiness score.
You can also get insight into your stress levels thanks to a body response sensor and skin temperature sensor. When the watch thinks you’re getting a bit too stressed, you’ll receive a prompt to log your current mood and suggestions to take a guided breathing exercise or go for a walk.
For fitness enthusiasts, the Pixel Watch 2 will automatically detect and start tracking activity like running or outdoor cycles.
It will also train you to take advantage of heart rate zones for better performance.
Google has introduced new safety features like Safety Check, which allows you to schedule a timer for specific situations where you might want your friends or family to know where you are.
Google has also boosted battery performance, with 24 hours of use with the always-on display and a full day of charge in just 75 minutes.
Pixel Buds Pro
The Pixel Buds Pro offer solid noise cancellation and solid battery life, but this Spring Google is improving the performance even further.
It will also be releasing the earphones in a pair of new colours, Bay and Porcelain, designed to match the colours of the Pixel 8 family of phones.
The biggest update is the addition of Bluetooth Super Wideband, which doubles the bandwidth for voices, making call quality clearer.
There’s also a new Conversation Detection function, which uses Google AI to detect when you start speaking. It then pauses your music and switches the earbuds to transparency mode. When you stop talking, the music resumes, going back to Active Noise Cancellation.
Pricing and availability
Google Pixel Watch 2 starts at $549 (Bluetooth/ Wi-Fi) and is available for presale starting October 5 at the Google Store, JB HI-FI, Officeworks and Harvey Norman.
The 4G LTE version is available for $649 at the Google Store, Telstra, JB HI-FI and Optus.
The new and improved Pixel Buds Pro will be available for pre-order at the Google Store, starting from 5th October.
They will also be available to order in select colours at Telstra, JB Hi-Fi, Optus, Harvey Norman and Officeworks starting from 12th October. The software update will be available to all new and existing Pixel Buds Pro users.
