Google’s next true wireless earbuds could be controlled using your skin
Skin gestures could be coming to the Pixel Buds and Watch
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Forget touch and voice controls:Google’s nextwireless earbudsand smartwatches could be controlled by drawing on your skin.
That’s according to a recently awarded patent spotted byLetsGoDigital, which suggests Google’s developing a skin interface for a range of different wearable devices - including some that look like itsPixel Budsand itsPixel Watch.
Much like how you can swipe up and down on sometrue wireless earbudsto control the volume, or tap on them to play/pause your music, this new patent shows how similar gestures would instead be applied to the skin near your ears.
Similarly, rather than swiping on yoursmartwatchdisplay users would instead control what they see by swiping on theirarm, wrist, and the back of their hand.
According to the patent, the devices will achieve this by using multiple sensors that can pick up nearby movements and translate them into recognizable controls.
Additionally, Google has implemented machine learning technology that’s capable of distinguishing these purposeful motions with regular movements - so you shouldn’t have to worry about turning off your wireless earbuds when you want to eat your lunch or to scratch that annoying itch.
Analysis: new and improved touch controls
If this tech can work effectively then skin gestures could offer some significant advantages over traditional touch controls that many wireless earbuds already use.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
For starters, skin gestures would give users more space to draw. Not only would this make it easier to input preexisting gestures, but the space could allow Google to create new more elaborate controls to improve the functionality of its wireless devices.
On top of that, by removing the need to touch yourearbudsyou’re less likely to move them out of place or push them uncomfortably far into your ear canals. Achieving a strong seal can improve the audio performance of in-ear headphones, so using these controls could make the listening experience more enjoyable and more consistent.
It’ll also help to keep your devices clean. If you hate having to smudge your smartwatch screen to use it, these skin gestures will eliminate that annoyance.
All that said though, we’ll have to wait and see what Google does next. As with all patents, there’s no guarantee that we’ll actually see a Google device use skin gestures until the brand officially unveils one.
However, with theSony Link Budsalready showing skin controls in action, it’s probably only a matter of time before Google and others follow suit.
Hamish is a Senior Staff Writer for TechRadar and you’ll see his name appearing on articles across nearly every topic on the site from smart home deals to speaker reviews to graphics card news and everything in between. He uses his broad range of knowledge to help explain the latest gadgets and if they’re a must-buy or a fad fueled by hype. Though his specialty is writing about everything going on in the world of virtual reality and augmented reality.
Belkin SoundForm Wired Earbuds with USB-C Connector review: sadly, these live up to their nominal price tag
Our favorite budget audio brand just launched super-cheap planar earbuds with a lovely wood finish
Smeg Combi Steam Oven review: a multi-functional countertop oven that looks stunning and cooks well
