The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a bright spot in a generally stagnant market for premium wireless earbuds. While the hardware itself is a refinement of the previous generation – 24% lighter and 27% smaller, with a focus on comfort and a secure fit – the real story lies in how they unlock the potential of Gemini Live, Google’s conversational AI assistant. I’ve been using Gemini Live extensively over the last few weeks, and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 have transformed the experience from a moderately interesting novelty to a genuinely useful tool. In fact, I wish I’d explored this combination sooner.
Gemini Live isn’t simply a voice assistant; it’s designed for ongoing, natural conversations. Google has positioned it as a problem-solving tool, emphasizing its ability to “search with your voice” and provide immediate, intelligent responses. However, that framing didn’t resonate with me. I rarely encounter situations demanding that kind of on-demand information, and my initial explorations with Gemini Live felt limited. It was revisiting the Pixel Buds Pro 2 that sparked a deeper understanding of its capabilities.
The key is the hands-free operation. I’ve configured the earbuds to activate Gemini Live with a long-press on the left bud, followed by the command “let’s talk live.” This allows me to converse with Gemini without ever touching my phone, keeping it safely tucked away on my desk or in my pocket. This seemingly small detail is the link I’d been missing.
While I hadn’t found practical applications for Gemini Live previously, I’ve discovered its remarkable ability to brainstorm. This is where the combination with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 truly shines. Last week, facing a tight deadline and a packed schedule, I needed to outline a feature article about the Pixel Tablet while simultaneously taking advantage of favorable weather for product photography. I had a general idea of the article’s direction, but I feared forgetting key points amidst the chaos.
Equipped with my Pixel Buds Pro 2, I activated Gemini Live and began vocalizing my thoughts while taking photos. I could move freely around the house and even outdoors, all while maintaining a continuous conversation with the AI. Vocalizing my ideas proved immensely helpful, and Gemini Live’s probing questions kept me focused and on track. It didn’t write the article, but it functioned as a sounding board, a second person in the room to discuss the core concepts. Gemini Live’s ability to ask clarifying questions, while I simultaneously tackled other tasks, is a unique and valuable asset.
From a hardware perspective, the Pixel Buds Pro 2’s microphones perform admirably, capturing my voice clearly even in noisy environments. But what about Gemini Live’s conversational prowess? It’s surprisingly effective at listening, questioning, affirming, and even motivating. Brainstorming with Gemini is genuinely enjoyable, and the natural flow of the conversation prevents it from feeling awkward or artificial. Gemini avoids being overly jokey or flippant, stays focused on the topic, and generally demonstrates a good understanding of the preceding discussion. The tone and intonation, while occasionally exhibiting a slight vocal fry, contribute to a more natural-sounding interaction.
However, Gemini Live performs best when given a clear objective. Before initiating a brainstorming session, I always provide Gemini with an overview of the topic and my expectations. Without this context, it can feel somewhat unfocused, lacking a specific goal to guide the conversation. Providing Gemini Live with a purpose is as crucial as using the Pixel Buds Pro 2 to unlock its full potential.
Despite the benefits, there are limitations. I found that Gemini Live couldn’t reliably fulfill its promise of compiling our discussion points into a Google Docs file. Notifications on my phone occasionally interrupted live conversations, causing the Gemini Live app to hang and impacting its ability to retain previous context. The feature’s memory retention isn’t particularly strong after a conversation ends.
requesting a summary of our conversation yielded inconsistent results, and there’s currently no straightforward way to export chat logs from Gemini Live to a Google Docs file. This can be frustrating if you brainstorm ideas you later struggle to recall.
Despite these shortcomings, Gemini Live’s brainstorming capabilities have fundamentally changed my perception of the feature. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 deserve credit for prompting me to explore it more thoroughly. I even asked Gemini Live why it took me so long to embrace it, and through that conversation, I reflected on Google’s marketing efforts. The promotional materials, often depicting scenarios like fixing leaky pipes or seeking childcare advice, felt irrelevant to my needs and even unrealistic. This isn’t necessarily Google’s fault – it’s challenging to appeal to everyone – but it highlights a broader industry-wide issue: the struggle to effectively showcase the breadth of AI’s capabilities in a relatable way.
The scenarios presented in AI advertisements, whether from Google, OpenAI, or Samsung, often feel contrived and disconnected from real-world experiences. I don’t wash my hair under a jungle waterfall, and I don’t rely on AI to repair my car. There’s a clear disconnect between the messaging and the actual functionality. However, I’m grateful to have rediscovered Gemini Live with the Pixel Buds Pro 2, finding a fun, inquisitive, and willing brainstorming partner, sparing my colleagues from endless discussions about phones, tablets, and wearables.
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer up to 8 hours of battery life with Active Noise Cancellation enabled, and up to 30 hours with the charging case. They feature pro-level active noise cancellation and are available in a variety of colors.
