An upcoming Android update will simplify the process of switching your Pixel Buds Pro between different devices – and it’s also coming to other wireless earbuds soon.
When the Google Pixel Buds Pro go on sale on July 28 (alongside the Google Pixel 6A), they will have a new feature: automatic device switching. As Google explains in its blog post (opens in new tab)If you’re listening to one of the best Netflix shows on your tablet and your phone starts ringing, your wireless headphones will automatically connect to it so you can hear its ringtone and talk to whoever’s calling.
It’s not just the new Pixel Buds that will have this feature. While they are first in line, Google said that some Sony and JBL cans will also benefit from the update, although support for them will be added later. While Google hasn’t specified which models will be supported, it will likely be recent models that support Bluetooth multipoint – meaning they can connect to more than one device at a time.
It is important to note that this tool will only work for Android smartphones and tablets, so if your devices are divided into ecosystems, you will have to manually switch their connections.
Analysis: The apple of our ears?
While this update likely won’t drastically change the Google Pixel Buds Pro’s ranking among the best wireless earbuds we’ve tested, it’s an underrated quality of life improvement that will likely save many users from unwanted trouble. But more importantly, it will further enhance the Apple-like synergy of Google products.
The Apple AirPods aren’t the best headphones ever made, but for those who rely on the iPhone 13 and iPad Air (2022), they can still be a great choice. This is because Apple products are designed to collaborate with each other, providing a smooth experience that can be ruined if you switch to third-party hardware alternatives.
Google does its part to transition between different Android and Chrome devices in a similar way, but some of its peripherals lack the necessary functionality. That’s clearly starting to change, thanks in part to this latest update that allows for automatic audio switching.
Fortunately, though, Google isn’t taking too much away from Apple’s playbook. Unlike Apple, which keeps updates like these locked away on its proprietary hardware, Android’s audio switching will come to a wider selection of first and third-party options – and we expect to see more new headphone brands and models coming with it. support in the future.