The Pixel Buds Pro 2 just got a big free upgrade and a $60 price cut

androidcentral.com Oct 7, 2026

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 just got a big free upgrade and a $60 price cut

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 7, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Google has begun rolling out a firmware update that adds Gemini voice control, Dynamic Active Noise Cancellation, tap‑to‑mute gestures, sleep‑pause functionality, and Enhanced Live Translate to its Pixel Buds lineup. The update is available for Pixel Buds, Pixel Buds Pro, Pixel Buds Pro 2, and Pixel Buds 2a. Simultaneously, Amazon is offering a $60 discount on the Pixel Buds Pro 2, reducing the price from $230 to $170. The combined software and price cuts make the earbuds more competitive in the premium market.

💡 Why It Matters

· The new features deepen ecosystem integration, turning the earbuds into a more versatile audio companion.
· The price cut positions the Pro 2 as a budget‑friendly alternative to higher‑end competitors.

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These Bose headphones changed how I shop forever

Sean Endicott, a seasoned journalist at Windows Central, reports on Windows 11, Surface hardware, Microsoft 365, AI, and broader Windows ecosystem developments. With over a thousand articles since 2017, he covers breaking news, feature stories, and opinion pieces, emphasizing Microsoft’s software, hardware, and AI initiatives. He also writes the weekly “Windows Wrap” column, curating key stories and contextualizing them within the PC landscape. Prior to Windows Central, Endicott earned a First Class degree in Broadcast Journalism and worked in live media production. He coaches youth American football in Nottingham, earning the BAFCA Youth Coach of the Year award in 2024.

💡 Endicott’s dual focus on Microsoft’s evolving tech ecosystem and his community coaching role illustrates how tech journalism can intersect with local engagement, offering readers a multifaceted perspective on industry trends.

9to5google.com · Oct 6

Google rolling out ‘massive’ Pixel Buds Pro, Pro 2, and 2a update

Google is deploying a major firmware update for its Pixel Buds lineup, covering the original Pixel Buds Pro (2022), Pixel Buds Pro 2 (2024), and Pixel Buds 2a (2025). The only exclusive addition for the Pro 2 is Dynamic Active Noise Cancellation, which automatically adjusts audio and cancellation levels to compensate for subtle ear‑seal shifts. All three models gain the same suite of features previewed in August, including Gemini‑enabled voice commands for ANC, EQ tweaks, and touch controls via the updated Pixel Buds companion app. New gestures let users tap the buds to mute calls, while integration with Pixel Watch sleep sensing auto‑pauses media and silences alerts when the wearer falls asleep. Enhanced Live Translate now permits instant, pocket‑free translation through a simple touch, leveraging the Google Translate app. Users must install firmware 6.144 via the companion app to access these functions.

💡 By unifying advanced AI‑driven controls across older and newer earbuds, Google turns legacy hardware into a competitive, multilingual communication tool.

techradar.com · Oct 5

Earfun Pro X review: highly capable headphones that seriously undercut rivals such…

TechRadar’s review of the Earfun Wave Pro X highlights a budget‑friendly over‑ear headphone that blends comfort, extensive app‑based customization and long battery life. The headphones feature a plush design, 90‑hour playback without active noise cancellation (ANC), and an equalizer described as the most detailed the reviewer has encountered. While the sound quality is deemed “muddy” with subdued treble and a limited soundstage, the build quality rivals higher‑priced models such as Bose’s QuietComfort line. Earfun spent over 30 months developing the Wave Pro X, marking the company’s most premium offering to date despite its lower price point. The review concludes that the headphones deliver strong value for money, though they fall short of audiophile standards.

💡 It proves that high‑end features like advanced EQ controls and marathon battery life can be delivered at a fraction of flagship prices, reshaping consumer expectations for affordable premium audio.

9to5mac.com · Oct 4

AirPods Pro 3 hit low $179 price just weeks after adding new…

Amazon has begun its fall Prime Day promotions early, offering Apple’s third‑generation AirPods Pro for $179 shipped, a $70 discount from the $249 list price. The price drop follows a summer dip to $199 and arrives just weeks after Apple added several software upgrades via iOS 27, including Custom EQ, enhanced Adaptive Audio controls, and improved Find My integration. The AirPods Pro 3 feature three‑times better active noise cancellation, longer battery life, on‑device heart‑rate sensing, and hearing‑aid support, positioning them above the newly released AirPods 5, which start at $129 with optional wireless‑charging case at $149. The deal coincides with other Apple discounts, such as $200 off M5 MacBook Air models, underscoring a broader price‑cut strategy ahead of the Prime Big Deal Days.

💡 The steep discount makes the Pro‑level features accessible to a wider audience just as Apple expands its ecosystem with new health and audio controls.

9to5google.com · Oct 1

Samsung’s open-ear Galaxy Buds On go official with late October release

Samsung announced its first open‑ear Galaxy Buds, the Galaxy Buds On, slated for a late‑October launch. The clip‑style earbuds sit on the ear’s side, allowing ambient sound while delivering in‑ear audio. Features include touch controls, automatic volume adjustment, noise‑leakage reduction, upgraded call quality, Snapdragon processing, 9.5‑hour battery life, Gemini Live, and head‑gesture commands. The charging case mirrors that of the Galaxy Buds 4. In Korea, the buds retail at 299,000 won (~$200) with a global release following October 27.

💡 Samsung’s move into open‑ear design signals a shift toward more socially aware audio, potentially redefining how consumers balance privacy and situational awareness in everyday listening.

windowscentral.com · Oct 1

Why Logitech’s new Zone Vibe Pro headset caught my eye

Sean Endicott writes for Windows Central, focusing on Windows 11, Surface devices, Microsoft 365, AI, and apps. Since 2017, he has produced over a thousand articles covering breaking news, analysis, features, and opinion across Microsoft’s software and hardware ecosystem, including updates, launches, and the company’s expanding AI services. He also authors the weekly “Windows Wrap” column, curating the most significant stories of the week and contextualizing them within the broader PC landscape. Prior to his role, Endicott earned a First Class degree in Broadcast Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and worked in journalism and media production, gaining experience in live broadcast environments. Outside technology, he is an American football coach in Nottingham, named BAFCA Youth Coach of the Year in 2024.

💡 His blend of deep Microsoft coverage and broadcast expertise gives readers a uniquely informed view of rapid PC ecosystem changes.