Designers: Google Hardware Design Team, Mountain View, California, USA
Manufacturer: Google LLC., Mountain View, California, USA
Explain, in simple, non-technical terms, what this is:
Google Pixel Buds are wireless headphones that help you do more. What was the challenge that you faced? We asked ourselves, what if your headphones could do more than let you listen to your favorite music? What if they could help you get things done without having to look at your phone? What if they could help you answer (almost!) any question just by asking, or even help you understand someone speaking a different language? How can we do all this in a lightweight, comfortable form factor that can last all day?
How is this design unique or innovative, compared to other designs in this category?
Google Pixel Buds integrate hardware, software and AI to bring an experience that goes beyond just sounding great. By reducing the form to its very essence, featuring pure geometric shapes that strike an iconic silhouette, we embraced the cord, leveraging it as a ergonomic, adjustable ear-loop. We also dropped the remote that most wired headphones have and put all the controls in a touchpad on the right earbud, allowing for more intuitive gesture controls (tap, swipe, press) and a simpler overall form. When it came to the charging case, it's designed to be something carried next to your clothing. Wrapped in soft, durable heathered microfiber fabric, it breaks the conventions of a consumer electronic. The challenge of cable management was solved with an innovative wrap, allowing tethered earbuds to be neatly stowed inside the pocket-sized charging case for on-the-go power.
