Considering how intertwined music discovery is with TikTok, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if the company launched a music streaming app of its own. Well, patent filings uncovered by Insider suggest TikTok’s working on just that.
TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, filed a trademark application with the US Patent and Trademark Office for “TikTok Music” in May. According to the filing, the service would let users purchase, play, share, and download music. It would also allow users to create, share, and recommend playlists, comment on music, as well as livestream audio and video. ByteDance already filed for a “TikTok Music” trademark in Australia last November.
ByteDance already has experience with music streaming. In 2020, ByteDance launched a music streaming app, Resso, in India, Brazil, and Indonesia. Resso has some of the same features described in the “TikTok Music” filing, such as the ability to create playlists, share songs on social media, and interact with the app’s community.
ByteDance even uses TikTok to bring existing users to Resso. According to a report from The Information, the TikTok app in Brazil comes with a button that redirects users to Resso so they can listen to the full version of a song they’re interested in, a move that helps keep users within the ByteDance ecosystem.
The Information also reports that Resso had over 40 million monthly users across India, Brazil, and Indonesia as of November 2021, a number that’s likely to grow. Earlier this year, a report from Insider revealed that Resso’s monthly active users grew by 304 percent between January 2021 to January 2022 in India alone, as opposed to Spotify’s 38 percent growth in the country during the same period of time.
It’s unclear whether ByteDance plans on developing a music streaming app based on the Resso framework, or if it will come up with something else entirely. Just like TikTok had a profound impact on the way social media sites operate, it’s possible that a music streaming app with TikTok ties-ins could change the music streaming industry, forcing services to adapt.
Apple's iOS 15.6 is here. Released on July 20, the follow-up to iOS 15.5 is ready to be downloaded to your iPhone. The software update folds in bug fixes -- including for an error that incorrectly showed phone storage as full -- and a new feature for watching live sports in the TV app.
The TV app will now let you restart live sports games already in progress, as well as pause, rewind and fast-forward. iOS 15.6 also includes a lengthy list of security updates for the iPhone.
Here are Apple's release notes from July 20:
iOS 15.6 includes enhancements, bug fixes and security updates.
TV app adds the option to restart a live sports game already in-progress and pause, rewind, or fast-forward
Fixes an issue where Settings may continue to display that device storage is full even if it is available
Fixes an issue that may cause braille devices to slow down or stop responding when navigating text in Mail
Fixes an issue in Safari where a tab may revert back to a previous page
This may be the last update to iOS 15 before the company's next mobile software, iOS 16, gets a wide release alongside the heavily rumored iPhone 14. The next version of iOS, which is available now in public beta, will bring several new features, including the ability to edit and unsend messages, a new customizable lock screen, changes to notifications, as well as updates to Wallet and Apple Pay.
Apple also released iPadOS 15.6, MacOS 12.5, WatchOS 8.7 and TVOS 15.6. In addition to security updates, iPadOS 15.6 and MacOS 12.5 got the same TV app update for live sports as iOS 15.6, while WatchOS 8.7 brought bug fixes, and TVOS 15.6 got performance and stability improvements, according to Apple.
After using the M2 MacBook Air for over a week, I’m excited to share how it stacks up against the M1 iPad Pro. Here’s everything you need to know.
While the M1 iPad Pro is a powerful machine, I have still found myself using a MacBook Air for that 5% of tasks that I cannot easily do on the iPad. However, I still utilize both devices for all manner of tasks from creative work for YouTube and professional work in corporate suites like Microsoft to custom CRM software and much more.
Because of this, I feel I’m perfectly positioned to give some in-depth thoughts on just which “computer” is a better buy for you and your workflow to help you decide between M1 iPad Pro and the brand new M2 MacBook Air.
For comparison’s sake, we’ll be talking about the M1 iPad Pro with 256GB of storage. The baseline MacBook Air will set you back about $1200. That’s with the latest M2 chip, 256GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM. The 256GB iPad Pro has 8GB of ram while also starting at $1200 for the same configuration. To truly be able to compare the M1 iPad Pro and the M2 MacBook Air, we will also need the magic keyboard accessory for the iPad Pro, which will add another $350 to the base price.
Adding that $350 accessory puts the M1 iPad Pro at $1550, and the optional Apple Pencil costs an additional $130. Luckily, there are third-party Bluetooth accessories that are much cheaper and work with the iPad. As with most Apple products, to get the absolute best usability and functionality, you simply have to get the magic keyboard.
See table below for a full price comparison:
M2 MacBook Air
M1 iPad Pro (Wifi Only
Price
Storage
RAM
Price
Storage
RAM
$1,199
256 GB
8 GB
$1099
128 GB
8 GB
$1,399
512 GB
8 GB
$1199
256 GB
8 GB
$1,599
1 TB
8 GB
$1399
512 GB
8 GB
$1,999
2 TB
8 GB
$1799
1 TB
16 GB
$2,399
2 TB
24 GB
$2199
2 TB
16 GB
Comparing the M2 MacBook Air directly to the M1 iPad Pro is unfair given that the tablet needs a little extra hardware to be considered a “computer” in the same way – think keyboard and Bluetooth mouse.
The iPad Pro has a few hardware features that might justify the price hike depending on how you use the tablet. First is the 12.9-inch miniLED display. The 120Hz ProMotion display has a base 1000 nit brightness level and a peak brightness level of 1600 nits. Because of this, you don’t have to worry about using the iPad Pro in bright or sunny environments. What’s more, the miniLED screen on the iPad Pro is still the cheapest way to get to Apple’s Pro Display XDR Level of quality. This puts the display in a league of its own.
Comparatively, on the M2 MacBook Air, you get a 13.6-inch LED IPS Retina display. In its own right, it’s great. When compared directly to the iPad Pro’s display, you will easily notice the 60Hz refresh rate and 500 nits maximum brightness.
M2 Macbook Air left, M1 iPad Pro right
When discussing cameras, the iPad Pro easily takes the win. While you might not use the dual rear cameras, you still have access to capable photo and video sensors. Even if you do not initially intend to use the rear camera setup, it’s there as an option and is more than capable if you need to use it.
Obviously, the M2 MacBook Air doesn’t have rear sensors. The new MacBook Air does have a brand new, upgraded 1080p webcam, and while it’s a fine upgrade, the selfie camera on the iPad still runs circles around the MacBook Air’s camera. On top of that, the iPad has Center Stage built in. For security, the iPad benefits from FaceID, but the M2 MacBook Air does include Touch ID. Both biometric security options are very fast, but FaceID is passive, and it doesn’t require an action from the user to get the device unlocked.
Listen for yourself in the video below, and you can hear that the iPad speakers are fuller, louder, and provide more base than the MacBook Air. They technically both have a quad-speaker system but the iPad is just a better speaker system.
If you value ports and expansion, the M2 MacBook Air is the obvious choice. Apple has reintroduced MagSafe back on the MacBook Air, and that frees up an additional Thunderbolt port. This means that you can have two devices or accessories plugged in, while on the iPad, you only have access to one port. This has to be shared with power and data passthrough but can be expanded with compatible USB-C hubs.
If you pick up the Magic Keyboard, it’s worth noting that there is a port for power. However, it is only usable for power access and cannot be used as an extra iPad Pro access or expansion port. Even though there are two ports, the MacBook Air still only supports one external display up to 6K resolution. The same is true with the iPad Pro, thanks to the addition of Stage Manager with iPad OS 16.
iPadOS 16: Stage Manager
When discussing charging, the battery life is one area where you will notice the largest difference. The MacBook Air is an absolute champion when it comes to battery longevity. Apple’s website claims that the M2-powered laptop has a maximum of 18 hours of lifespan. In our testing, we haven’t managed a full 18 hours, but after a full day of heavy use with third-party apps like Google Chrome and Microsoft Suite apps, the MacBook Air has zero issues. With this use case, we were still able to end the day with around 50% battery remaining. In our opinion, you can take this for a weekend of heavy use and not need to bring a charger.
Sadly, the iPad Pro cannot compete here in the lifespan stakes. Under heavy use with the Magic Keyboard, we regularly manage five to six hours before needing to seek out the charger.
When it comes to raw battery longevity, the M2 MacBook Air is a clear winner. Also, the iPad Pro’s max charging speed is rated at 33W compared to the MacBook Air that can charge up to 67W through MagSafe.
The iPad Pro with optional Magic Keyboard combo makes the iPad heavier and thicker than the MacBook Air. Although heavier it’s hard not to look toward the iPad Pro, at least in terms of the versatility and overall portability. Not only is it a tablet for entertainment purposes, but it’s also starting to become a powerful workhorse tool for many.
In many ways, the iPad is still the “must have” device on the market. Having owned the iPad since 2018, I personally made this decision based on aesthetics. It’s incredibly light, thin, and powerful. In many ways, it still seems too good to be true. Sure, the new MacBook Air design is amazing in its own right, but something about the iPad when paired with the Magic Keyboard — and its unique floating hinge design — feels like a better package.
So from a pure hardware perspective — price aside — I feel that the iPad Pro has the edge. With great versatility, better onboard cameras, and an arguably better display, it’s a top-of-the-line piece of tech, and that’s why Apple dominates this section of the market.
In conclusion, which device is right for you is still solely based on preference and price. In my opinion, I would opt for the iPad Pro due to its portability, usability, and the fact it’s generally more fun to use. You have millions of apps on the App Store to choose from, so you’re always able to find something useful or entertaining. It’s simply more versatile – it’s a tablet, a digital notepad, a computer, and a game console all in one.
It’s hard to argue with the fact that many people just want a laptop that is familiar, works with everything — from work to productivity — is useable on a daily basis, and has great battery life. For this group, I would usually recommend the MacBook Air purely from a cost to performance and familiarity ratio.
If you can afford both, then the M1 iPad Pro and M2 MacBook Air complement each other perfectly thanks to features like side car, universal control, and Apple’s ecosystem.
Even though the M1 iPad Pro is a great choice for me, if I had to recommend a computer to use exclusively for the next five years, then it would be hard to look past the M2 MacBook Air. It offers powerhouse desktop-level performance in a portable chassis, with real desktop applications, a great keyboard, touchpad, and external display support without compromise.
Samsung is introducing an interesting new feature for people sending in their Galaxy phones for repair: "repair mode." When shipping off your phone, you might want to do something to protect your data, and the new feature sounds like a great solution. It locks down your data, but not your phone.
Handling data during a mail-in repair process is tough. You could wipe your phone, but that's a big hassle. You don't want to just send in a completely locked down device, as technicians can't thoroughly test it if they're locked out of everything. While in repair mode, technicians can still poke around in your device and test everything, but they'll only see the default apps with blank data. When you get your device back, you can re-authenticate and disable repair mode and you'll get all your data back.
The feature was first spotted by SamMobile, and Samsung has so far only announced the feature in a Korean press release; it is first launching in Korea for the Galaxy S21 (the S22 is Samsung's latest flagship phone). Repair mode can be turned on from the settings menu, and Samsung says (through Google translate), "You won't be able to access your personal data, such as photos, messages, and accounts," and anyone with the phone will "only use the default installed apps." Repair mode can be exited the same way, though you'll need to authenticate with a pattern, pin, or fingerprint.
Samsung doesn't explain how the feature works, but Android has a number of built-in capabilities that would make it relatively simple to implement such a feature. Android supports multiple user accounts, which allow for multiple separate sets of apps and data. It wouldn't take much to lock down the primary user and spin up a "guest" user with no data for the repair people to work with. It's also possible that Samsung is locking down the entire user data partition. Repair technicians could get a temporary data store and access to the read-only system partition, which houses all the OS files you would need for testing.
However the feature works, it's a great idea, and it's something we'd like to see other manufacturers implement. For now, repair mode is only available on one model of device and only in Korea, but Samsung says it will get a wider rollout in the future.
Article From & Read More ( Samsung’s “repair mode” lets technicians look at your phone, not your data - Ars Technica )
https://ift.tt/ojuCR7d
Technology
Article From & Read More ( TikTok vs. Instagram Reels vs. YouTube Shorts: Who Will Win the Short-Video Race? | WSJ - Wall Street Journal )
https://ift.tt/lkiYGWR
Technology
Samsung Electronics Co. said it is aiming for sales of its foldable phones to surpass its now-discontinued Note series of smarpthones as it looks to boost profitabiltiy for its mobile division.
SeongJoon Cho | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Samsung is hoping to take its foldable phones mainstream, saying Thursday that it's aiming for sales of such devices to exceed its popular Note series of handsets.
The South Korean electronics giant is looking to push sales of its folding handsets to boost the profitability of its mobile division, which has been hit by rising materials costs and waning consumer demand.
Samsung first launched the Note smartphone model in 2011. It found success over the years due to its larger screen size in an era where its rivals had smaller displays.
But as smartphones continued to get bigger, including Samsung's flagship S series of devices, the Note was eventually discontinued. Instead, the company's Galaxy S Ultra model filled the void. The Note 20, released in 2020, was the final phone in Samsung's series.
Samsung's first folding phone, the Galaxy Fold, was launched in 2019 after some technical issues. Since then, the company has released a number of other models.
But foldable phones are still a niche portion of the overall smartphone market. Samsung is hoping to turn them "mainstream," according to its earnings statement released Thursday, with the view of boosting profitability for its smartphone division.
"In the second half we will continue to maintain the sales momentum of our S series and also use the new foldable series that will be launched in order to deliver sales volume that are above the sales volumes we used to report using the Note series," Sung Koo Kim, vice president of the company's mobile experience division, said on a conference call on Thursday.
It is unclear what timeframe Samsung is referring to for foldables to take over Note sales, given that the latter device is now discontinued. Samsung was unable to clarify when contacted by CNBC.
For reference, Samsung shipped 190 million Note devices over the phone's lifetime, according to IDC. So far, Samsung has shipped over 10 million foldable phones.
Samsung shipped about 12 million Note 20 phones, the last of the series, and about 14 million Note 10 devices. That compares to 8 million Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3 devices, the latest Samsung foldable phones.
The company is gearing up to release new foldable devices next month.
"It makes sense for Samsung to place its bets on foldables: it's a premium and high margin product that drives average selling prices, and differentiates Samsung from the competition," Bryan Ma, analyst at IDC, told CNBC.
"Even if the Note line still has dedicated fans, it's also a decade old now, so putting the company's ambitions on foldables keeps the company ahead of the curve."
Indeed, profitability in its smartphone division is the main focus for Samsung. In the second quarter, earnings in the mobile business fell quarter-on-quarter due to higher costs and "adverse currency effects," Samsung said. However, revenue rose year-on-year due to increased sales of premium models such as the S22 smartphone and Tab S8 tablet series.
Samsung's Kim expects the smartphone market to remain flat or grow slightly in the second half of the year. Foldable phones will be a key part of Samsung's drive to boost profitability.
The company said it will "secure solid profitability by targeting sales of foldables that surpass those of the Galaxy Note-series and fully mainstream foldables via delivering a differentiated consumer experience enabled with global partnerships."
Article From & Read More ( Samsung aims for foldable phone sales to overtake those of its now-dead but very popular Note devices - CNBC )
https://ift.tt/Rrm7ocg
Technology
It wasn’t a sure thing that the Pixel Buds Pro would turn out to be good. Google has had a mixed, inconsistent track record with wireless earbuds so far. The original Pixel Buds in 2017 had such an unconventional design that something as fundamental as putting them back into the case was overly complicated. The Pixel Buds 2 moved to a much sleeker, true wireless form factor, but they were beset with connectivity issues and frequent audio dropouts. Google righted the ship with the low-end $99 Pixel Buds A-Series last year, but now all eyes are on the new, flagship $199 Pixel Buds Pro — the company’s first earbuds with active noise cancellation — to see whether Google can really hang with the very best from Apple, Sony, Samsung, and others.
Turns out, it very much can. The Pixel Buds Pro fully resolve the Bluetooth woes of the second-gen model while delivering improved sound quality, longer battery life, satisfactory noise cancellation, and bonus convenience features like multipoint. They’re not the smallest or lightest earbuds around, but Google’s elimination of the integrated wing tips (or “stabilizer arcs”) from prior models results in better overall comfort.
When Google announced these earbuds a couple months ago, it made a point to call out the custom silicon and in-house audio processing that were key to developing the Pixel Buds Pro. Every company with earbuds that are the best at something — think noise cancellation in the case of Sony or transparency mode for Apple — builds its own components to achieve that. According to Google, the Pixel Buds Pro include a custom six-core audio chip (not to be confused with the custom Tensor chip in Pixel phones) that powers the active noise cancellation system, and they also use custom 11-millimeter drivers / speakers tuned by the company’s audio team.
So then, let’s get right to it: noise cancellation on the Pixel Buds Pro is generally quite good for subduing noise at home, the office, or in a coffee shop. But I do notice that some parts of the frequency spectrum (like street noise from passing cars) cut through louder than they would on the AirPods Pro or Sony’s WF-1000XM4 buds. Since the ANC runs on Google-developed algorithms, it’s feasible that firmware updates could further enhance the noise-canceling strength of the Buds Pro. As it stands today, the ANC is more than competent — even if it won’t be bumping Sony or Bose from the top of the mountain.
Transparency mode, on the other hand, is decent but falls well short of matching the natural, airy sensation you get with the AirPods Pro or Sony’s LinkBuds S. Google’s transparency passthrough does the job but has a semi-muffled tonality to it. This is likely, at least in part, because the Pixel Buds Pro no longer have the same “spatial vent” that lets through some natural ambient sound on the 2020 Pixel Buds and Pixel Buds A-Series.
While on the subject of ANC, I’m admittedly perplexed by the feature Google calls “Silent Seal.” The company describes it like so:
Everyone’s ears are unique, so it’s not always possible for the eartips to create a perfect seal that prevents sound from leaking in from the outside. Pixel Buds Pro use Silent Seal to adapt to your ear, to help maximize the amount of noise that’s canceled.
When I asked for more specifics on how Silent Seal works or exactly what is happening, Google spokesperson Marisa DeRose oddly declined to share further details. My best guess is that Google’s algorithms try to optimize the active noise cancellation based on your ear shape and how the earbuds fit you, but the lack of information leaves me skeptical that Silent Seal is really a game changer.
Google also says that the Pixel Buds Pro contain sensors that “measure the pressure in your ear canal” to alleviate the plugged-up sensation that ANC earbuds can often produce. I did manage to get more particulars on this from product manager Pol Peiffer, who told me by email that the sensors “constantly measure the pressure in your ear canal so the earbuds can actively relieve it and stay comfortable. These measurements never leave the earbud and are erased immediately after they are processed for noise canceling.” This is Google’s solution for the lack of an air vent, but I’m curious as to whether the overall noise cancellation power on the Pixel Buds Pro is being hamstrung by this emphasis on comfort. It’d be nice to have the option to crank it to 11 — ear pressure be damned.
Backing up a bit, the Pixel Buds Pro carry on the design lineage of Google’s last couple models. The outward-facing portion still looks like a Mentos, especially in the mellow yellow color of my review sample, but the rest of the earbud is much more substantial and chunky. When you initially pluck them from the case, the Buds Pro might not seem like earbuds that will be especially comfortable or stay in your ears well. Thankfully, that first impression is misleading.
Even without the affixed stability fins from past Pixel Buds, the Buds Pro slid into my ears snugly, and after some twisting and light adjustments, I wasn’t concerned about them going anywhere. I thrashed my head around, and they stayed put. They also passed the standard eating and talking tests without dislodging. It’s certainly easier to (purposefully) remove them than the foam-tipped Sonys or deep-seated Galaxy Buds, but you don’t need to worry about unexpected tumbling-out-of-your-ears mishaps. I’ve noticed they stick out a bit in smaller ears but are more flush and subtle in big ears like mine. And despite the relative heft compared to lighter buds, they stayed comfortable over extended listening. Google bundles the standard three sets of silicone tips in the box, and there’s an ear tip seal test in the Pixel Buds app if you need further confirmation you’re using the right size. The pebble-shaped carrying case is also very similar to past Pixel Buds, with the same eggshell feel and satisfying snap when closing, plus wireless charging.
The Pixel Buds Pro deliver the best audio experience of Google’s lineup thus far. They don’t rival the superb dynamics and rich clarity of something like Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 3 earbuds, and I think the Sony 1000XM4s still surpass them in a head-to-head. I wouldn’t quite rank these in that upper echelon, but for a daily, take-everywhere pair of earbuds, I’ve been pleased with Google’s refinements. The Hold Steady’s “Lanyards” came through with ample bass kick and punchy guitars. Lake Street Dive’s “Nick of Time” showed off their smooth vocal reproduction, and while sampling John Mayer’s “Wild Blue,” the Pixel Buds Pro created ample separation between instrumentation to let the solos shine. In some tracks, the mids can come off as recessed, and I’d like more control over the default V-shaped EQ. Google’s website confirms that’s in the works.
For now, audio tuning settings from past Pixel Buds (like bass boost) are MIA in the Pixel Buds app, but the company plans to add five-band EQ customization sometime this fall. In the meantime, there’s a “volume EQ” toggle that lifts bass and treble at lower volumes to keep your music sounding consistent throughout the range. Audiophiles might be disappointed that the Pixel Buds Pro only support AAC and SBC for Bluetooth codecs — rumors that they would also include LC3 and Bluetooth LE audio are untrue — but I think tuning and audio signature are ultimately more important to how they sound. If you can’t live without LDAC, there’s always the 1000XM4s, LinkBuds S, or even cheaper options.
To ensure the Pixel Buds Pro have fully conquered any unwelcome dropout issues, I tested the new earbuds on busy streets, intersections, and in other environments that would’ve spelled doom for the Pixel Buds 2. But the audio kept playing without any interruptions. That held true whether my phone was handheld or in my pants pocket; the latter scenario can cause audio disruptions for some earbuds, but not these. The connection is simply much more robust this time around.
Google covers pretty much everything you need with the onboard controls: tap once to play / pause, twice to skip tracks, or three times to go back. You can press and hold to switch between ANC and transparency, and this gesture can be customized (on either earbud) to activate Google Assistant as well. The swipe-based volume controls of the 2020 Pixel Buds have also returned, letting you increase loudness by brushing a finger forward across the earbud surface or lowering it by swiping backward.
The Pixel Buds Pro come with the usual perks of having Google Assistant in your ear; you can ask for the weather or walking directions, respond to texts, request a song, have notifications read aloud, or take advantage of features like Live Translate when traveling — all with hands-free “Hey Google” voice commands. It’s helpful to have these tricks at your disposal, but other specialties from past Pixel Buds — adaptive sound, attention alerts, and the aforementioned bass boost — have quietly been removed. Regardless, I’d argue the biggest new addition to the Pixel Buds Pro is multipoint, which allows you to connect to two audio sources (like your phone and computer) simultaneously.
And it works pretty much like a dream: I can start watching a video on my MacBook Pro, hit pause, switch over to my Pixel and start a song on Spotify, and the earbuds play it without delay. Stopping the song and jumping back to the video is just as seamless. When a call comes in, you can just answer it, and the buds will prioritize that audio; it’s a huge plus being able to avoid Bluetooth menus. Every so often, you’ll hear a little hitch in the audio when transitioning between audio sources, but it’s barely perceptible. Voice call performance is acceptable; I was intelligible to my colleagues on Zoom even in a busy coffee shop, and in quieter environments, I never got any complaints about mic quality.
Later this year, Google plans to counter Apple and Samsung by introducing spatial audio with head tracking for the Pixel Buds Pro. So when you’re watching movies or listening to Dolby Atmos music, you can move your head around, and the sound field will shift appropriately. But like always, this is all about ecosystem lock-in and will be limited to Google’s own hardware — so you’ll need a Pixel phone to do anything with it. The Pixel Buds Pro are also capable of intelligent automatic switching between various Android devices, but I don’t know many people using a handful of Android products unless you’ve got a smartwatch or TV that also happens to run the OS.
AGREE TO CONTINUE: GOOGLE PIXEL BUDS PRO
Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it — contracts that no one actually reads. It’s impossible for us to read and analyze every single one of these agreements. But we started counting exactly how many times you have to hit “agree” to use devices when we review them since these are agreements most people don’t read and definitely can’t negotiate.
You can pair and listen to Google’s Pixel Buds Pro without needing to agree to anything in the software. However, installing the Pixel Buds app — required to enable multipoint and other earbud features — comes with a number of mandatory agreements:
Google Assistant also collects data “such as your device contacts or activity on Google sites and apps, to provide better, more helpful answers through the Google Assistant. Third-party services may also share information with Google pursuant to their own privacy policies when you choose to use those services via Google services, including the Google Assistant.”
Final tally: between two and three semi-mandatory agreements if you want to get the most from the Pixel Buds Pro.
Battery life for Google’s latest buds is rated at 7 hours with noise cancellation on or up to 11 with it switched off; in several days of testing the Pixel Buds Pro so far, those estimates seem on the mark. And the earbuds are rated IPX4 for water resistance, so you don’t need to worry about getting them sweaty mid-workout. The case is a slightly less durable IPX2, but at least it’s got some level of protection.
Even with all the praise, there’ve been occasional bugs. I’ve had (very) rare instances where audio breaks down and gets unlistenable while watching a video when using multipoint, or the stereo imaging of the earbuds gets thrown out of whack after I manually disconnect one of the two devices. These glitches aren’t unheard of when using true wireless earbuds, and Google has some early kinks to iron out. But on the whole, I’m much more confident in recommending the Pixel Buds Pro than any of the company’s prior efforts, and that boils down to their rock-solid overall connection stability.
The Pixel Buds Pro are Google’s best set of earbuds yet. They’ve shed the connectivity flaws that sank the second-gen model while adding respectable active noise cancellation, longer battery life, and superior sound. And the inclusion of multipoint makes them genuinely more useful day to day. Like any pricey earbuds, you’ll want to try them on for yourself to get a feel for the fit. But assuming the new, bulkier design jibes with your ears, Google finally has a full-featured, flagship pair of earbuds that Pixel fans can enjoy without any back-of-mind reservations or second thoughts — just as it ought to be for $200.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71183420/DSCF8492.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23905452/DSCF8484_2.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23905442/DSCF8467.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23905457/DSCF8502.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23905902/DSCF8473_2.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23905445/DSCF8474.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23905454/DSCF8486.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23905448/DSCF8478.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23905450/DSCF8481.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23905455/DSCF8488.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23905443/DSCF8471.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23905441/DSCF8463.jpg)
