Google has outlined a new update that introduces several fresh capabilities for the Pixel Buds 2A and Pixel Buds Pro 2, with the rollout already underway. These enhancements were first hinted at during August.
The primary addition is sleep detection powered by the Pixel Watch, now available for both earbud models. When a user is asleep while wearing a Pixel Watch, the earbuds will automatically pause playback, mute alerts, and disable touch controls.
Additional changes arrive for both Buds 2A and Pro models. A tap‑to‑mute gesture lets you silence or unsilence the microphone during calls, but only when paired with a Pixel phone, and a single tap can now launch live translation. New Gemini voice commands let you manage active noise cancellation, tweak the equalizer, or enable touch controls.
Dynamic ANC is the last feature, automatically adjusting audio output and noise‑cancellation intensity based on how well the earbuds seal in your ears. This functionality is limited to the Buds Pro 2.
Google shared the rollout details in a community forum post for Pixel Buds. The initial announcement, posted yesterday, indicated that all features except Dynamic ANC would also be delivered to the original Pixel Buds Pro, but that reference has since been removed from the post. We have contacted Google for comment on this revision.