After announcing that Gemini will roll out to older models, Google is also giving Pixel Buds Pro 2 users something to look forward to — or maybe grumble about. According to a report by 9to5Google, Google’s new Pixel Buds Pro 2 will use Gemini to improve the way notifications are handled on the go.
At launch, Pixel Buds Pro 2 owners will be able to hear notifications from messaging apps like Google Messages, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. This feels like a targeted approach — after all, messaging apps are the lifeblood of most people’s notifications. Whether it’s the latest Instagram DMs or an important text, you’ll hear them right in your ear. This new “Announce notifications on headphones” feature, powered by Gemini, is a big part of what sets the new Buds Pro 2 apart.
However, there’s a catch — while Pixel Buds Pro 2 will alert you to your messages, other notifications will have to wait. Unlike older Pixel Buds, which offer spoken notifications from any app, the Pro 2 lineup is scaling things back…for now. Google Assistant used to let you manage notifications from multiple apps — whether it was breaking news from your favorite app or reminders — but that flexibility has been dialed down at launch.
On top of this, Google has already removed the convenient touch-and-hold gesture that would let you hear notifications by simply holding your Buds. Now, users have to say the slightly clunky “Hey Google, do I have any notifications?” to hear their alerts. And that too requires users to enable the “Hey Google” hotword on their Android devices before it can be used on Pixel Buds and other Assistant-enabled headphones.
Google is reportedly working on enhancing this experience, promising that Gemini will eventually support spoken notifications from more than just messaging apps. In their own words, they’re “reworking the notifications experience from the ground up” and plan to bring more notifications down the line. The focus on brevity with large language models like Gemini could be especially useful for wearables, where long-winded notifications can become a nuisance.
It’s a bit of a trade-off. While we can expect Gemini to offer more streamlined spoken alerts in the future, right now, the experience might feel like a step back. For those with older Pixel Buds, the introduction of Gemini means a boost in notifications across apps, while the Pro 2 owners will have to hang tight for the full experience to roll out.
Hillary Keverenge
2445 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.
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