Google Offers Live Translation to Every iPhone, No AirPods Required
Photo Credit: Google's translation feature is set to turn millions of existing headphones and earbuds into live translation devices. Courtesy of Google
Skift Take
Live translation now works on any smartphone with any earbuds. One of travel's oldest frictions — not speaking the language — is becoming less of a barrier.
Google is bringing its live audio translation feature to iPhones through an update to its Google Translate app, a move that turns any pair of headphones into a real-time translator.
In a blog post, Sasha Kapur, Google Translate product manager, explicitly nodded to the implications for travel. “Live translate is a game-changer for getting recommendations, listening to train announcements and connecting with fellow travelers.”
Apple offers a similar feature, but its Live Translation tool requires specific AirPods and an iPhone 15 Pro or later model.
By working with any connected headphones — including olde
