Following the much-anticipated announcement at Made by Google 2025, the significant Pixel Buds Pro 2 Feature Drop is now starting to roll out. Among the most notable additions is the new “Adaptive” Audio option, which has been integrated into the Active Noise Control settings. Users can now choose from Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off, with Adaptive Audio adjusting volume levels based on your current environment.
The primary goal of Adaptive Audio is to allow users to enjoy their favorite music, podcasts, and audiobooks while remaining aware of their surroundings. This feature intelligently reduces the volume of unwanted noises, ensuring you can listen to your audio without missing important sounds around you. Whether you're walking, cycling, commuting on the metro, or exercising at the gym, Adaptive Audio helps you stay alert while enjoying your content.
When you enable Adaptive Audio, the Loud Noise Protection feature will automatically activate as needed. This means that if you encounter sudden loud noises such as sirens or construction sounds, the system will adjust to protect your hearing. However, Google advises that this feature is “not suitable to safeguard against sharp, sudden impulse sounds, such as gunshots, explosions, or fireworks,” so users should remain cautious in high-risk environments.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 update also introduces improvements to Gemini Live, which is now more effective in detecting your voice even in noisy settings. Whether there’s a television playing in the background or multiple people talking around you, Gemini Live uses advanced audio processing to prioritize your voice and eliminate distracting background noise. This feature is available on the Pixel 8 and newer Google phones, enhancing the overall listening experience.
Another exciting feature in the update is the ability to answer calls and send texts using head gestures. Users can enable this by navigating to the Pixel Buds app > Controls and gesture > Use head gestures. Powered by the Pixel Buds Pro 2’s accelerometers and dedicated sensors, users can nod their heads to accept a call or shake their head to decline. For incoming texts, a nod triggers a response, allowing users to dictate their replies, while shaking their head will dismiss the attempt.
It’s important to note that the head gesture functionality will not be available immediately after the firmware update, as it will roll out over the next few weeks. This significant update for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is currently being released, starting today with firmware version 4.467. To check for updates, simply open the Pixel Buds app, navigate to More settings, and then Firmware update.
Stay tuned as these new features enhance your listening experience and ensure you stay connected to your surroundings with the latest Pixel Buds Pro 2 update.
