{
  "id": 18497873,
  "title": "Pixel Buds' great new voice commands made me fall in love with them again",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/pixel-buds-great-new-voice-commands-made-me-fall-in-love-with-them",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-06T12:00:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Android Police",
    "slug": "android-police",
    "url": "https://www.androidpolice.com/pixel-buds-excellent-new-voice-commands/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "For Pixel Buds users since 2017, one user has found a new love for their buds through Gemini commands. After upgrading to software release_6.144, they discovered the convenience of controlling their Pixel Buds directly without needing to unlock their phone. By tapping and holding the right earbud, the user can now easily change noise cancellation, EQ settings, and toggle conversation detection and touch controls. While some advanced features like spatial audio controls, head tracking, and live translate mode are not yet supported, the Gemini commands have significantly improved the user's experience, especially during walks and public transit commutes. To enable these commands, ensure the user is on the latest firmware (release_6.144) and that Digital Assistant is set up properly. Once enabled, saying \"Hey Google\" or tapping and holding an earbud will activate the Gemini feature. The user particularly appreciates the ability to turn on conversation detection with a simple voice command, although they keep it disabled in certain busy environments due to potential interruptions. Additionally, the update introduces helpful features like a bedtime mode for Pixel Watch, which disables touch controls and mutes low-battery warnings for uninterrupted sleep, and an enhanced Live Translate conversation mode.",
  "summary": "Gemini can now toggle features and change equalizer modes on Pixel Buds without using the app. Here are the commands I'm using and how well they work.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "9to5Google",
        "title": "Pixel 11 and Pixel 10 at up to $350 off are great phone deals that will only be harder to find in RAMageddon",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/pixel-11-and-pixel-10-at-up-to-350-off-are-great-phone-deals-that",
        "published": "2026-11-05T19:05:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}