Technology - Google News

Google Pixel Buds 2's killer feature outsmarts noise — and the AirPods Pro - Tom's Guide

Posted: 28 Apr 2020 12:22 AM PDT

The Google Pixel Buds 2 have a not-so-secret weapon to fight Apple AirPods, and it's called Adaptive Sound. Yes, because any tech giant worth its stock price can come up with its own elegant completely-wireless headphones, Google has found a new way to attack Apple, by outsmarting AirPods Pro's Transparency mode.

And it sounds pretty cool. Take, for example, when you're out for a walk. According to Google, "Adaptive Sound dynamically and subtly adjusts the volume as you move between quiet and noisy environments". This means you don't need to keep tapping at the volume or settings to hear the noise around you — your headphones just adjust to let you hear what you need to hear.

The big example I can think of is when I'm at the grocery store, and when I get to the checkout. When I start talking to the clerk, and raise the ambient noise in my immediate vicinity even higher, the Pixel Buds' Adaptive Sound should lower my music accordingly, so I don't shout over my headphones and look inconsiderate.

Adaptive Sound is supposed to kick in not just when it detects sound, but "sustained noise", skipping any "one-off background noise", like my keys clunking inside a door lock, or a simple muttering. On the other hand, my AirPods Pro just have Transparency mode, which just lets all ambient sound in and can even amplify it a little bit.

If it works as advertised, Adaptive Sound is a great feature for the $179 Google Buds 2, which are priced a bit higher than the simpler $159 AirPods, and below the $249 AirPods Pro, which boast active noise cancelling (ANC).

My biggest concern about Adaptive Sound: what about when I'm listening to a podcast? I don't want audio to lower then! Well, Google says that when you adjust the volume "Adaptive Sound will be temporarily disabled to respect your settings".

You don't need a super modern Android phone to enjoy this Pixel Buds 2 feature, either. Adaptive Sound is supported by devices running Android 6 (Marshmallow) and later, which first came out in 2015.

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These are the actual Galaxy Note 9 One UI 2.1 firmware being tested - SamMobile

Posted: 28 Apr 2020 05:37 AM PDT

We reported earlier today that the Galaxy Note 9 One UI 2.1 update was one step closer to release. A moderator on Samsung's official forums for South Korea had confirmed that the update has now entered testing.

We have come across the actual One UI 2.1 firmware versions that Samsung is testing for the Galaxy Note 9 in Europe and South Korea. This should put to rest any concerns that users may still have had that it was too good to be true for the Galaxy Note 9 to be getting One UI 2.1.

Galaxy Note 9 One UI 2.1 test firmware versions

Samsung is currently testing firmware version N960NKSU3ETD1 and N960FXXU5ETD5 for the Galaxy Note 9 in South Korea and Europe respectively. These are the One UI 2.1 updates that Samsung confirmed the development on last week.

By paying attention to the firmware version number, you can easily understand that this is a significant update. The Galaxy Note 9 is currently running on firmware version N960FXXU5DTCA in Europe. The next update being tested for the device is N960FXXU5ETD5.

Notice the change of the alphabet D to E? When the alphabet moves up by one place, it's a signal that this is a major update. New Android OS versions always get a new alphabet and so do significant feature updates like new One UI versions.

The appearance of these test firmware is a great sign that the Galaxy Note 9 One UI 2.1 update is going to be released in the near future. This also means that it won't be long now before the same treatment is given to the Galaxy S9 as well. We are keeping a very close eye on this and will let you know as soon as Samsung starts rolling out the firmware update to the public.