Pixel Buds Pro redesign compromises ease of shape for notification alerts.
Google Pixel Buds used to offer a convenient feature called Google Assistant Notifications. It would read your notifications when you tapped and held the touch interface. This feature was highly valued by many consumers who opted for the earbuds.
### The most disappointing news
Recently, it was discovered that this feature was not working and many assumed it was a mistake. In a brief post on the Google Assistant help page, the Pixel Buds team confirmed that the functionality has officially been discontinued. This change affects the entire Pixel Buds series, including the entry-level Pixel Buds A which cost $64. What a letdown.
Google announced that “Assistant will no longer read unread notifications when using the press-and-hold Assistant feature” and that “Assistant will also not automatically read unread notifications or allow you to respond.” They did not provide further details, only adding that they are evaluating “additional changes to notifications.” I am concerned that more possible downgrades may come.
The new way to have Pixel Buds read notifications is to activate Google Assistant and say out loud, “Read my notifications.” When will headphone manufacturers understand that we do not like to talk to a device in public? It’s the last thing I would want to do on the subway.
The announcement makes it clear that Google does not see this as a step back. The post ends with a thank you for our “continual feedback that helps improve our experience with Google Assistant,” as if this was a feature we asked for.
It is extremely unfair to market your product using a range of features and then quietly remove one of its key functionalities. Customers paid for this feature when they shelled out $200 for the earbuds – which is not a small amount. The tap and hold gesture on the Pixel Buds has now become the default option to toggle between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode, which was previously one of the two options you could assign.
With all this happening just around a week before the new Buds Pro ship, I wonder if it will affect their sales. We know that the second-generation Buds Pro will introduce Gemini capabilities, so we’ll be spending a lot of time talking about them anyway.
[This article has been translated from Gizmodo US by Lucas Handley. You can find the original version here.](#)
