Google Pixel Buds update adds sleep detection and Dynamic ANC

Google says a software update for Pixel Buds 2A and Pixel Buds Pro 2 is rolling out now. The features were first teased in August, according to The Verge.

With a Pixel Watch, the earbuds can detect when a wearer falls asleep. They then pause music, silence notifications and turn off touch controls. Tap-to-mute lets users mute or unmute a microphone during calls with a tap, but only when using a Pixel phone. A single tap can also activate live translation.

New Gemini voice commands can control active noise cancellation (ANC), adjust the equalizer (EQ) or turn on touch controls. Dynamic ANC, exclusive to Pixel Buds Pro 2, adjusts audio and ANC levels based on how well the earbuds seal in the wearer’s ears.

The Verge reports that Google announced the rollout in a Pixel Buds community forum post. An earlier version of the post, published the previous day, said that all features except Dynamic ANC would also come to the original Pixel Buds Pro. Google has since removed all mention of those earbuds from the post. The Verge says it contacted Google for comment on the change.