EARDRUM BEAT
Google is trying to get into your head.
The search giant designed its new Pixel 2 phone without a headphone jack, so it had to develop a new Bluetooth-enabled earphone that could tie it to the Pixel phone.
That’s where the Pixel Buds come in — a rival to Apple’s wireless AirPods. Both sell for $159, and each comes with its own charging case.
So which are right for you? Let’s break it down.
If you’re looking for a completely wireless experience, Apple’s AirPods still have the edge. But if you’re constantly losing stuff, the Pixel Buds might help you keep it together. Unlike the AirPods’ two individual earbuds, Pixel Buds’ design is more like the wireless offerings from Beats by Dre. A cable connects the two Pixel Buds so they can be draped around your neck while not in use.
Howmuch room do you have in your pocket? Skin- ny-jeans aficionados might want to stick to AirPods. Like the AirPods, Pixel Buds’ battery lasts about 5 hours. Because of this, they come with a charging case that can top them off four times over. But the Pixel Buds’ case is bulkier than the one provided by Apple, and not quite as nice a fit in your pocket.
If you have trouble finding earbuds that fit properly, you’re going to like the Pixel Buds. The Pixel Buds design allows you to ad- just the cable to make them fit more comfortably in you rear. This beats the one-size-fitsmost AirPods.
Which is better with connectivity? It depends whether you have an iPhone or Android smartphone. Apple’s W1 chip makes pairing AirPods to an iPhone nearly instantaneous, and it has held the connectivity advantage over traditional Bluetooth earphones — until the Pixel Buds arrived. According to Google, Android phones will be able to recog- nize when the Buds are nearby, and will give users a pop-up notification offering to connect them.
If you travel a lot — or just want to play like you’re visiting Planet Earth from the Starship Enterprise — choose the Pixel Buds. The earbuds claim the ability to translate foreign languages in real time. According to Google, the program handles 40 languages, and is “like having a personal translator by your side.”