Share this @internewscast.com
Universal translators once existed solely in the realm of science fiction, famously portrayed in “Star Trek” as devices that could convert any language into English instantly.
Today, advancements in artificial intelligence have enabled major tech companies such as Apple, Meta, and Google to develop devices that can translate languages in real-time. Experts anticipate these products to gain significant popularity.
Here’s what they’re working on:
Apple
Recently, Apple unveiled the $250 AirPods Pro 3 at its “Awe Dropping” product launch event, showcasing earbuds capable of live language translation. These earbuds can translate French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish into English instantly. Moreover, earlier models like the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 will receive this live translation functionality via an update next week.
Apple AirPods Pro displayed at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California, on Sept. 9. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
In their demonstration video, Apple highlighted how a person wearing AirPods could engage in a conversation with a Spanish-speaking individual selling flowers to an English-speaker. The earbuds provided real-time audio translations from Spanish to English. The English-speaker’s responses appeared as written translations in Spanish on her phone. The feature also allows two people both wearing AirPods to converse in different languages with translations happening live.
Analysts expect the product to entice users to upgrade their Apple devices.
“If we can truly use the AirPods for live translations, it would be a compelling reason for users to upgrade,” stated DA Davidson Analyst Gil Luria to CNBC.
Previously, Google disclosed that its Pixel 10 smartphone can facilitate language translations during phone calls while maintaining the speaker’s natural voice. Known as Voice Translate, this feature supports real-time conversations in languages including Spanish, Japanese, and Hindi and will be accessible through a software update starting Monday.
The translate feature processes translations on the Pixel 10 device, so conversations are kept private.
Google Pixel 10 smartphone. Photo by Andrej Sokolow/picture alliance via Getty Images
“Voice Translate allows you to break down language barriers during phone calls,” Google stated in a blog post announcing the feature.
Meta
Meta, meanwhile, has recently implemented translation capabilities for new or existing devices. Starting in April of this year, the bestselling Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are capable of live translation.
The glasses, which have sold more than two million pairs since launch, can help English-speaking users understand speech in French, Italian, and Spanish with a simple voice command: “Hey Meta, start live translation.”
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg (left) and Mixed Martial Arts Fighter Brandon Moreno (right) at Meta Connect 2024. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg first introduced the live AI translation feature for the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses at Meta Connect 2024. He demonstrated how he was able to understand Brandon Moreno, a mixed martial arts fighter, speaking in Spanish while he responded in English.
“You can simply speak to someone in Spanish, and hear the English translation directly in your ear,” Zuckerberg said at the event.
Universal translators were once a science fiction dream, appearing in shows like “Star Trek” as devices capable of translating any language into English.
Now, new advancements in AI have made it possible for big tech companies like Apple, Meta, and Google to create gadgets that translate from one language to another in real-time. And analysts expect the products to be popular.
Here’s what they’re working on:
The rest of this article is locked.
Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.
