Google unveils headphone-ready live translation feature on Android
At the centre of the update is Gemini, Google’s latest AI model, which powers more natural and context-aware translations.
Google is unveiling a new Google Translate update that delivers real-time spoken translations directly through any headphones, removing the need for specialised earbuds or proprietary hardware.
The feature, now rolling out in beta on Android, allows users to listen to live translations as someone speaks around them, whether in a meeting, a lecture hall, or on a busy street.
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Unlike earlier versions that were limited to Google’s Pixel Buds, the new experience works with almost any wired or wireless headphones, making it one of the most accessible live-translation tools.
At the centre of the update is Gemini, Google’s latest AI model, which powers more natural and context-aware translations.
Instead of rigid, word-by-word output, Gemini focuses on meaning, tone and intent, helping translated speech sound smoother and easier to follow in real time.
Google says this approach significantly improves how idioms, expressions and conversational language are handled.
To use the feature, users open the Google Translate app, connect their headphones and activate the Live Translate option.
The phone’s microphone captures nearby speech, while the translated audio plays through the headphones with minimal delay.
The tool currently supports dozens of languages, with Google indicating that more will be added as testing continues.
Beyond travel, Google positions the update as useful for education, work and accessibility, enabling people to follow foreign-language discussions without interrupting conversations or constantly checking their screens.
Analysts say the move reflects a broader shift in AI from tools that assist occasionally to systems that operate continuously in the background, blending into daily life.
The beta is initially available in select markets, including the United States, Mexico and India, with wider global availability expected as Google gathers user feedback.
An iOS version is planned for a later stage.
With this release, Google Translate is no longer just an app you consult; it is becoming a live companion, quietly translating the world in real time through the headphones people already own.
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