The power of sound: Introducing Pixel’s new birdsong collection

By Aditi Kale, Sustainability Strategy, Platforms & Devices
Henry Daw, Google Sound Design, Platforms & Devices

At Google, we’re fascinated by the power of sound, and especially how it can help us better understand the world. Since 2018, we’ve conducted research in bioacoustics to help scientists monitor the health of ecosystems.¹ This year, we're thrilled to announce our new Pixel Sound Matters collection, featuring the beautiful and diverse sounds of birdsong—sounds that also indicate a vibrant ecosystem. This collection is not only a celebration of the natural world, but also a testament to the importance of sound in our lives. Google sound designer Henry Daw, describes the vision behind the collection:

“We didn’t want this to be just another nature sound collection. We sought out sounds that are deeply meaningful and reflective of our natural world, in both a positive and thought-provoking way. Sounds that are different to what most people hear every day, whether living in urban areas or less nature-rich ecosystems. Ultimately we want these unique sounds to refresh and inspire all who experience them.”

The Benefits of Birdsong

Research has shown that listening to the sounds and songs of birds can significantly benefit our mental and emotional wellbeing.² It can aid in reducing stress, lowering anxiety, and improving mood. The soothing melodies of birdsong can transport us to a place of peace and tranquility, even amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

But birdsong is more than just a source of comfort. It’s also a vital indicator of the health of our ecosystems. A diverse and flourishing set of birdsongs signifies a thriving ecosystem, with abundant resources to support a wide variety of species. Birdsong can provide valuable insights into the health of our environment and the impact of our actions on the natural world.

For this launch, Henry worked with the award-winning wildlife sound recordist George Vlad to capture the spectacular dawn chorus of birds found in remote and wild areas of Botswana and Zimbabwe. The design team carefully planned out this recording expedition for late 2023, to coincide with Southern Africa’s rainy season—the perfect time to showcase the full beauty of birdsong in such a lively and healthy ecosystem.

Join Us in Celebrating the Power of Sound

We invite you to explore our new Sound Matters birdsong collection as a notification, alarm, or ringtone on Pixel phones³ and tablets. To gain a deeper appreciation and experience the many benefits of these beautiful and inspiring sounds, we’ve also provided a 1-hour recording in our Fitbit app and on our YouTube channel, along with a “behind the scenes” look at how they were recorded. This collection has something for everyone, whether you want to learn more about biodiversity, or simply de-stress and be transported away from your typical every day.

Look out for more sounds that matter, as we continue the Sound Matters collection series with our Pixel users. Google’s sound design lead Conor O’Sullivan adds:

“This groundbreaking collection shows how we can use sound to amplify our core values across our products and with meticulous attention to detail. We believe in the power of connection, the beauty of expression, and the potential of sound to create positive change in the world. We hope you enjoy this inaugural collection and we look forward to sharing more in the future.”

Pixel’s Commitment to Sustainability

This new sound collection is part of Pixel’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. Along with focusing on the product impact with recycled materials, carbon footprint reduction, plastic-free packaging, and more, we are also working to understand the effects that manufacturing our products has on nature and biodiversity. While exploring this topic, we realized that our product experiences could also increase awareness of biodiversity issues and share the beauty of nature more directly with passionate users.

By incorporating birdsongs into our products in small, thoughtful ways, we hope to inspire users to connect with nature, appreciate its beauty, and take action to protect it. Our approach to sustainability considers not just environmental impacts but also human impacts, and we’re excited to share new ways for you to engage with the natural world.

Together, we can celebrate the power of sound, and work toward a more sustainable future. So let’s all take some moments to reflect, appreciate all our planet’s inhabitants—from the tiny insects to the magnificent birds—and listen in on what nature has to say.