While many of the new wireless headphones and earbuds are already equipped with virtual assistants support, Google has extended this convenience to more wired headphone users. Such as 9to5Google He indicates that it is now possible to quickly access Google Assistant features on an Android phone using 3.5mm and USB-C headphones that were not previously supported.

Until now, Google Assistant integration has been limited to “Enhanced Google Assistant Support” wireless or wired options. The company’s USB-C Pixel Buds were one of a few wired headphones that provided rich hands-free integration with the Google Assistant.

Not so anymore: Connecting a set of “unimproved” wired headphones will now trigger a notification indicating that you can summon the Google Assistant by pressing the action button on the headphones. You will be able to set timers, create appointments in the calendar, and hear notifications without having to tap your phone screen.

I worked with a pair of 3.5mm Apple EarPods (leftover!) And a Pixel 4A running Android 11 with the November Security Update. Sure, Google Assistant can be called up with a long press of the built-in action button, allowing me to set and cancel timers and create and cancel calendar appointments, all without touching the phone screen.

Of course, this is an update that will be applied to a dwindling number of wired headphone users (solidarity, you all), but it’s nice if you happen to belong to this group.