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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Hear real-time translation in your headphones with Translate.
- The feature supports more than 70 languages.
- Android users can try it now, with iOS support coming next year.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need conversations around you translated to your language but don’t want to purchase dedicated AI translation earbuds (which our own Jack Wallen recently tested and called “seriously impressive”), the Google Translate app has a new feature you’ll want to check out.
Starting today for Android phones, Google says you can now hear real-time foreign language translation from the Translate app right in your headphones, thanks to Gemini’s new live speech-to-speech translation capabilities.
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The feature works with any headphones and supports more than 70 languages. Google will add support for iOS and more countries next year.
While the Translate app does have an existing feature that translates a conversation live, this new option preserves the tone, emphasis, and cadence of each speaker. This means it’s much more natural-sounding, Google explained, and makes it easier to follow a conversation.
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Google added that Translate will use Gemini’s capabilities to better handle phrases with nuanced meanings, idioms, local expressions, or slang. For example, if someone says a phrase like “stealing my thunder,” you’ll get a helpful translation that says what the phrase really means instead of a literal word-for-word translation.
To use this option, open the Translate app and tap “Live translate” while you’re connected to your earbuds or headphones.
Expanded language training
In addition, Google revealed that it’s expanding its language learning tools in Translate. Feedback is improved, so you can get helpful tips based on your speaking practice, and you can track how many days in a row you’ve been learning so you can see your progress.
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The app also has expanded language training, including English to German and Portuguese, and Bengali, Mandarin Chinese (Simplified), Dutch, German, Hindi, Italian, Romanian, and Swedish to English.
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