NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 15: The new Google Pixel Buds ear pods are displayed during a Google launch ... [+]
Google Pixel Bud owners who are continuing to experience connectivity issues in their earbuds, despite the recent update, are eligible for a refund from Target.
The retailer has confirmed to me that it will give refunds to Pixel Bud owners who bought the headphones from its store and are still suffering from repeated audio drop outs, even if the 30 day return period has passed.
Hundreds of users have been complaining about connectivity problems in their Pixel Buds since they launched in May. The main issue appears to be intermittent audio drop outs, with the Pixel Buds struggling to maintain a connection in certain scenarios. I exclusively reported that Google planned to roll out a major feature update, alongside a fix for the audio problems, in July.
The update landed on August 20th, which fixed the problem for some, but not all. Users who have contacted me have complained about persistent issues despite receiving several replacements from Google, whilst another said that the update caused connectivity problems when they didn’t have any before.
For those that waited for the fix and still had issues, some missed the opportunity to return their buds within the 30 day time limit. Target is now offering refunds for Pixel Bud owners who bought from its store and are still experiencing problems, despite the refund period expiring.
For owners who bought the earbuds elsewhere, Google tells me its support team is treating each complaint on a case-by-case basis. I’m yet to hear back from Best Buy and Walmart.
The exact cause of the connectivity problems isn’t known. In an interview with me in July, Sandeep Waraich, senior product manager for wearables at Google, said that it is likely related to Bluetooth interference, whilst also hinting that a smaller RF antenna, which is a result of the earbuds’ miniaturised design, could be a factor.
Bluetooth interference is a fairly common problem for truly wireless earbuds. It can occur when physical objects block signals or the frequency of the signal is overcrowded. Apple’s AirPod support page offers solutions for audio cut outs that include moving to an area with less signal interference, and making sure there are no obstructions “between you and your device”.
There may be more issues than Bluetooth interference with the Pixel Buds, though, because I haven’t seen this volume of complaints with other earbuds, including Apple’s AirPods or the recently released Galaxy Buds Live. Although the recent update, or replacement pairs from Google, have solved the issues for many users.
Got a tip, thoughts or something to complain about? Let me know.
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