One of the few useful functions of AI is real-time translation, with Google Translate intending to lead the charge into a Babel fish future. The search giant has just released a new feature into beta, one that expands something previously only available to Pixel users. If you guessed in-headphone translation, well done. You get a point.
Google, however, loses a point for not launching its beta everywhere at once. Instead, users in the United States, Mexico, and India will have access to “real-time, natural-sounding translations right to your headphones.” That’s just for starters, of course.
Translate this, Google
In-headphone translation is available between English and some seventy languages. The feature works for users using Translate’s Android app, but more support is coming later. The Pixel Buds have had this function for some time now, but Google’s newest beta means users needn’t buy specific hardware to get it working. They just need to live in a particular geographic location (for now).
iOS users are next on the list, sometime in 2026, as well as additional countries, as the beta matures. Google hasn’t indicated which countries are next in line. The company has said that “This new experience works to preserve the tone, emphasis, and cadence of each speaker to create more natural translations and make it easier to follow along with who said what.” Sounds good to us, even if it’s in another language.
Google has also expanded the range of its AI-powered practice mode, which uses Translate as a base. More features designed to make Duolingo nervous, support for another twenty countries, and the addition of English to Portuguese/German and “Bengali, Mandarin Chinese (Simplified), Dutch, German, Hindi, Italian, Romanian, and Swedish to English” mean it could prove just a little more useful for linguophiles. Assuming they have access. We’re still waiting, Google.
