Google could launch Google Assistant-powered headphones

Codenamed “Bisto,” these Google Assistant-powered headphones are mentioned throughout the latest Google app APK.

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Will AI assistants spark renewed interest in wearables?

Will AI assistants spark renewed interest in wearables?

March 1, 2017

Thanks to 9to5Google’s new APK teardown of the Google app, we now know that the search giant might be preparing to launch a pair of “magic pairing” headphones powered by Google Assistant. We saw the name “Bisto” for the first time as early as this past April but weren’t sure what kind of device it was going to be, but various strings from the teardown indicate that it could be a brand-new hearable device:

<string name=”bisto_magic_pairing_assistant_prop_text”>”Your headphones have the Google Assistant. Ask it questions. Tell it to do things. It’s your own personal Google, always ready to help.”</string>

As you may have guessed, you can speak into the mic of the Bisto headphones to summon Google Assistant and interact with it anytime you wish. If you enable notification access, you will also be able to hear incoming notifications read aloud. According to the strings “<string name=”expand_bundle4_1″>To hear them, press the Google Assistant button” and “<string name=”expand_bundle_1″>To hear them, press and hold the top button.</string>” the headphones will come with at least two physical buttons: one Google Assistant button, which you can press and hold in order to talk to Google Assistant and one “top button,” which will activate verbal notification alerts.

After all, Apple saw moderate success with the AirPods, and with smartwatch sales declining, market analysts are starting to turn to AI-powered hearables and speakers.

Other strings from the teardown reveal that the Bisto headphones will be able to receive OTA software updates – presumably Android Wear. With rumors claiming that Google might unveil a brand-new high-end Chromebook and a mini Google Home device along with this year’s Pixel phones, it is entirely possible that the search giant will add a hearable device to its growing portfolio of hardware products. After all, Apple saw moderate success with the AirPods, and with smartwatch sales declining, market analysts are starting to turn to AI-powered hearables and speakers.

Would you buy a pair of Google Assistant-powered headphones from Google? What do you think would be a reasonable price for them? Let us know by leaving a comment below!