AirPods: New live translation on the way
Apple's latest iOS 26 beta contains a graphic that confirms an already expected AI feature for Apple's earbuds.
Apple's AirPods Pro: soon to be (more) helpful when traveling.
(Image: Apple)
Rumors have been circulating for months that Apple is planning a new live translation function for its AirPods earbuds. The idea is for the wireless earbuds to translate conversations into different languages almost in real time—in combination with the iPhone. It is already known that Apple will incorporate such functions for FaceTime and phone calls in iOS 26—from the iPhone 15 Pro onwards. Now hints for the AirPods have also appeared in Developer Beta 6 and Public Beta 3.
Presumably in five languages
A corresponding graphic shows two second-generation AirPods Pro with different language words such as "Hello," "Bonjour," "Olá," or "Thank you." The stems of the AirPods Pro apparently have to be pressed; at least this is symbolized by two circles. The languages Apple mentions are English, French, German, and Portuguese, but there are likely to be more. Apple had also announced Spanish for FaceTime and phone calls. Portuguese is apparently intended for Brazil, while English will be available for the USA and the UK.
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According to reports, the live translation function is planned for second-generation AirPods and AirPods 4. It is still unclear whether the latter will only support the ANC model or also the version without. It remains to be seen how the actual implementation will take place. It is conceivable that you could give one of the earplugs to the other person so that they receive the translation directly into their ear, although this is somewhat unsightly for hygienic reasons. Alternatively, the AirPods could also only serve as a microphone and loudspeaker for the device owner, while the translations for the other person sound from the iPhone (a sensible combination, as there would then be no overlap).
Only for the iPhone 17?
Use directly on the AirPods without a connected iPhone is considered very unlikely, as the earbuds do not have sufficient processing power. Whether Apple really supports all current iPhones that also support Apple Intelligence (from iPhone 15 Pro) or is reserving the feature only for the new iPhone 17 models, which will be released in September, has not yet been leaked. It is at least interesting to note that the function has been circulating through the rumor mill but was not mentioned at the presentation of iOS 26 in June.
The new operating system, which could be released in mid-September, also comes with a new translation function for texts in the Messages app. In addition to the languages intended for FaceTime and phone calls, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (short characters) are also supported. It remains to be seen whether these four additional languages will also be added later for voice communication.
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