- Live translation is reportedly scheduled for iOS 19 later in the year
- Real -time translation between two speakers
- No details of which AirPods will be supported
It seems that Apple is following in the footsteps of Samsung and Google in their attempts to bridge the gap over language barriers: A new report says live translation will come to AirPods in iOS 19, which will launch this fall.
Apple is a little late for this-google put live translation in the pixel buds back in 2017 and rolled it out to more Google-Assisted Phones the following year, but maybe it’s been more focused on adding hearing health features to its Premium earplugs and trying to stick cameras in Theres.
But eventually Apple looks to make Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Babel Fishing a Reality for AirPods buyers.
Translation in real time in AirPods: What to expect
The news comes via the well -connected Mark Gurman at Bloomberg (Paywall) who says it will deliver one “Star Trek– -like experience for airpods -users “.
According to the report, the feature will use your AirPods as well as your iPhone. Your phone translates the other person’s speech and plays this translation in your AirPods; It then takes your speech, translates it and plays it to the other person via your iPhone’s speaker.
The feature will be tied to iOS 19, which must be broadly compatible with iPhones that go back several years – although if the feature is invoiced as part of Apple Intelligence, it can only be limited to newer devices.
And if it is made available to any model of AirPods, I will be amazed: I suspect it will be reserved for Apple’s more Premium earplugs with active noise cancellation to make sure you can be focused on people’s voices.
But maybe I’m wrong and it will be a nice upgrade to all the best AirPods – after all, the iPhone seems to make the heavy lift.
With AirPods Pro 3, expected later in the year, it is possible that Apple will decide to make the feature exclusive to its latest buds, although I think it is unlikely.
