Apple May Be Poised to Hijack Pixel Buds’ Best Feature for Upcoming AirPods

Apple is planning to introduce a live-translation feature for AirPods, enabling users to engage in real-time conversations across different languages. This development mirrors a feature that Google’s Pixel Buds have provided since their initial release in 2017. Both iOS and Android platforms have a history of drawing inspiration from each other’s features, with Android often seen as the one adopting more functionalities from iOS. Recent reports from Bloomberg suggest that Apple’s new live-translation feature will be available later this year through a software update.

Notably, this feature will not be restricted to the latest AirPods models; it is expected to be compatible with some existing AirPods, though specific models remain unspecified. The feature is anticipated to launch alongside iOS 19, allowing users who speak different languages to conduct in-person conversations that are translated in real-time. The mechanics of the feature are quite fascinating. For instance, when a conversation occurs between an English speaker and a Spanish speaker, the iPhone would capture and translate the Spanish speech into English for the AirPods user, and then relay their English response translated back into Spanish through the iPhone’s speaker.

This functionality mirrors what Google Pixel Buds have offered for years, which can be activated by saying “Hey Google” followed by a command to initiate conversation mode in Google Translate. This feature currently supports 40 languages. Additionally, Google Pixel Buds also incorporate a Transcribe Mode that transcribes spoken language live, an aspect that remains uncertain regarding its inclusion in Apple’s offering. Regardless, the prospect of such an advanced feature finding its way to AirPods is an exciting development.

Apple’s latest AirPods 4 also boast an appealing combination of features, including Active Noise Cancellation, an impressive 30 hours of battery life with a fully charged USB-C case, and an IP54 rating for both dust and sweat resistance, all at a price point that is $30 less than the AirPods Pro.