Pixel 2 Not Detecting Voice Input Over Bluetooth, Pixel 2 XL Users Report Unresponsive Edges

A stable experience is what Google needs nowadays to counter the iPhone X. However, following the massive criticism over the blue-tint display and some premature screen burn-in issues on the Pixel 2 XL, Google’s Pixel 2 is now reported to have a conflict with branded Bluetooth headphones that emerges when using Google Assistant. Some Pixel 2 XL users have also found unresponsive edges on the displays of their handsets.

As spotted by AndroidPolice, a large number of users on Pixel 2 have reported on Google’s support forum that the preloaded Google Assistant doesn’t work when they use it through Bluetooth headphones. While the handset activates the Assistant once the “OK Google” hotword is passed through the connected headphones, the virtual assistant doesn’t listen to any commands. It appears that a bug disables the microphone of the headphones following a connection is established with the Assistant.

“The mic icon turns into the four dots indicating that Assistant is listening, but they don’t move, indicating it hears something. No transcription of my voice appears, and Assistant doesn’t do anything, and eventually goes back to sleep,” a Pixel 2 user wrote on the forum.

In addition to the smaller Pixel 2, the giant Pixel 2 XL also appears to have the same issue. Moreover, the disability is reportedly limited to the Assistant as the connected headphones don’t restrict any audio from their microphone and work flawlessly on phone calls.

We reached out to Google, and a spokesperson acknowledged the issue and confirmed its fix. “Google is well aware of the issue, and a fix will be rolled out shortly,” the spokesperson said.

Interestingly, Google unveiled the Pixel Buds Bluetooth-enabled headphones alongside the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL earlier this year that are designed to deliver a Google Assistant experience while on the go. In the meantime, the latest bug would help Google engineers find the barriers restricting the Assistant over Bluetooth connectivity.

Apart from the Assistant issue, some Pixel 2 XL users have reported that they are facing trouble while using the edges of the large-screen handset. “There is a fairly large area in the bottom right corner that is unresponsive, and the taps aren’t registered,” a Pixel 2 XL user wrote while explaining the issue on the support forum.

Google’s Community Manager Orrin Hancock responded to the unresponsive edge issue and stated that the product team had been investigating the problem and a future OTA update would address the flaw.

The Pixel 2 series is not the only latest flagship offering that has been in the news for its issues. Apple’s iPhone X also recently surfaced online with a green line edge. All this appears to be a result of the last-minute push that the companies enforce to get into the market at the earliest to take on the competition.