Bose will be partnering with Google for a set of Bisto headphones
As we get closer to October 4th, we are beginning to learn more information about what Google has in store for us. We already know that the Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 will be announced, but there have been rumblings about a potential AirPods competitor from Google.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II via The Verge
These headphones, codenamed Bisto, will include quick access to Google Assistant, but little else is known as of yet. However, a leak yesterday confirms that Bose is getting in on the fun, and that Bisto may not be a specific set of headphones, but instead is a codename for the category of device.
One of the first set of headphones to feature access to Google Assistant will be the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. These headphones are the successor to the widely popular Bose QC 35, as they feature Bluetooth compatibility, noise cancellation, and can be used with a 3.5mm headphone jack if need be.
According to our colleagues over at 9to5Google, the Bose QC 35 II will be one of the first headphones to be announced alongside a partnership with Google, with other headphone manufacturers to follow. However, there’s no mention if other OEM’s to be included in this upcoming Google-driven endeavor.
As for activation, it seems that the QC 35 II will have an activation button on the left ear, which will activate Google Assistant when pressing and holding on this button. Activating this button will also give users the ability to listen to their pending notifications, without needing to pull out their phones, which is a welcome addition.
Pricing may make some folks look the other way, as the QC 35 II is expected to be priced at the $349.95 price point that the current generation QC 35 headphones are. Meanwhile, Apple’s AirPods with Siri are priced at $159.99, more than half the price of the QC 35.
It’s extremely likely that we’ll see more headphones with Assistant enabled, and the pricing won’t be as harsh for the other options. However, we’ll have to wait and see what’s to come, so in the meantime, drop us a line and let us know what you think about these Assistant-enabled headphones and if you’re excited about October 4th.