Following the announcement at Made by Google 2025, the big Pixel Buds Pro 2 Feature Drop is now beginning to roll out.
“Adaptive” Audio appears as a new option in the Active Noise Control bar alongside Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off. It will adjust volume levels in accordance with your current environment. The goal is to let you listen to audio while still being able to hear the world.
Adaptive Audio keeps you aware of your surroundings while dynamically reducing the volume of unwanted noises and sounds. Whether you’re out walking, cycling, on the metro, or at the gym, you can stay alert while still enjoying your music, podcasts, and audiobooks.
When Adaptive Audio is enabled, Loud Noise Protection will automatically be enabled and activate as needed if there are sirens, construction sounds, or other sudden loud noises. Google warns that it is “not suitable to safeguard against sharp, sudden impulse sounds, such as gunshots, explosions, or fireworks.”
Gemini Live is now better at listening to you in noisy environments like when there’s a TV in the background or if there are people around you. This is available on the Pixel 8 and newer Google phones thanks to “advanced audio processing that prioritizes your voice and eliminates background noise.”
To set-up the ability to answer calls and send text with a nod of your head, go to the Pixel Buds app > Controls and gesture > Use head gestures. This is powered by the Pixel Buds Pro 2’s accelerometers and other “dedicated sensors.”
- When there’s a call, you can nod your head to answer or shake to decline.
- For incoming texts, nodding your head will trigger a reply and let you dictate the response. You can shade your head to dismiss the reply attempt.
Head gestures will not be available immediately after the firmware update and are rolling out over the next few weeks.
This big Pixel Buds Pro 2 update is gradually rolling out starting today with firmware version 4.467.
To check, open the Pixel Buds app > More settings > Firmware update.
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