Google might be working on Assistant-powered, smart headphones

According to the information from the latest beta of the company's Google app, extracted by 9to5Google, Google might be planning to launch smart, Assistant-equipped headphones.

Version 7.10 of the Google app contains references to something called "Bisto." These references have first appeared in version 7.0, but now there's a lot more information about Bisto, which is apparently a code name for headphones that run Google's Assistant.

While we don't know what these headphones will look like, based on references in the code, we do have some hints about what the headphones could be.

First, we do know the headphones will have a few physical buttons, and a reference to a "top button" might mean that the headphones will be of the bigger, over-the-ear variety.

We also know that Bisto headphones will be able to listen to voice commands and play back notifications (with reply).

Finally, they'll be able to be updated over the air (OTA) — just like your smartphone.

Of course, the fact that there are references in the code for these features doesn't mean we'll actually see all of them in the final product — or even that the product will ever see the light of day.

The timing of this leak is interesting, as Google is getting ready to launch its Pixel 2 flagship phone in the fall. If the headphones are real, it's possible that they will either come with the phone, or that they'll be a separate gadget but launched at the same event as the new Pixel.