Google app code hints at Bluetooth headphones with Google Assistant (GOOG)

google reception headphones girl

Google may be working on a pair of Bluetooth headphones that come integrated with the company's digital helper, the Google Assistant.

9to5Google dug into the code of the Google app's latest beta, and found references to "Bisto," a codename that first appeared months ago and seemed to be related to audio.

A string of code says: "Your headphones have the Google Assistant. Ask it questions. Tell it to do things. It’s your own personal Google, always ready to help."

This doesn't necessarily mean that Google may be the only one working on Assistant-equipped headphones, however.

Digging further into the code, other lines — such as one that says "oem_partner_app" — suggest that third-party manufacturers might work on Bisto compatible products, in a fashion similar to Android Wear.

Elsewhere, the code hints at other Google Assistant functionalities on headphones, such as alerting the user to read notifications with a "notification chime", letting them reply via voice, or tell how much battery is left. It also suggests headphones would have a dedicated button for users to activate the Assistant.

There is no further indication of an actual product, but Google will likely host its annual hardware event some time later this year. It has already been rumoured that new devices — like a new Chromebook and a smaller smart speaker — might make their way to the company's portfolio, and now Google-branded headphones could be part of the picture too.

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