Google Disables Touch and Hold to Read Notifications on Pixel Buds Pro

Summary

Google is rolling out a change for Pixel Buds Pro users where the 'touch and hold' gesture will no longer read notifications.

• Change Overview: Users who rely on the touch and hold feature to silently check their notifications will now need to activate Google Assistant and say, 'Read my notifications.' This update is cited as a response to user feedback.
• Current Status: The change is not fully rolled out yet. Some users have received notifications about the update, while others still experience the old behavior.
• Impact: The silent use case for Pixel Buds Pro has been disrupted, and users are not being alerted to new notifications until they explicitly ask Assistant to read them.
• User Reactions: Many users are frustrated with this change, suggesting that it should be an optional setting. There is a concern that Google is making existing products worse without providing clear alternatives.
• Future Implications: The upcoming Pixel Buds Pro 2 with Gemini integration may offer similar or better features, but it's unclear if there will be feature parity between the current Assistant and Gemini on headphones.