Your existing AirPods could gain a new live translation feature in iOS 19

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in Future Apple Hardware

Apple's iconic AirPods are rumored to receive an entirely new feature that translates in-person conversations from one language to another.

Two wireless white earbuds with silicone tips resting on a textured black surface.
Apple is reportedly working on a new live translation feature for AirPods.



The rumored live translation capability will make it significantly easier for speakers of two different languages to communicate. The feature is expected to roll out in 2025 alongside the iOS 19 and macOS 16 updates. Beyond that, both operating systems are said to feature major design changes.

If an English speaker with AirPods is listening to a person speaking in another language, such as Spanish, the iPhone will detect the audio of the Spanish speaker and translate it into English. The English translation will then be played via the AirPods.

The English speaker's response is said to be translated and played in Spanish via the iPhone speakers. The process allegedly utilizes the Translate app and is tied to the iOS 19 update, according to a Bloomberg report.

Samsung already has a similar Live Translate feature, which is available with OneUI version 6.1 or later. Google's Pixel Buds offer virtually the same functionality through a dedicated Conversation Mode.

If you're looking for new hardware, Apple is also said to be working on a new generation of AirPods Pro, as well as an AirPods model with built-in cameras. The latter will reportedly be able to analyze the surrounding environment with the help of artificial intelligence.

Rumor Score: Likely

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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 12
    king editor the grateking editor the grate Posts: 673member
    Why would it be translated through iPhone speaker rather than AirPods?
    appleinsideruser
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  • Reply 2 of 12
    gavinthaingavinthain Posts: 16member
    Project Babelfish
    king editor the gratenubus
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  • Reply 3 of 12
    Yucamyucam Posts: 24member
    Sure thing...
    williamlondon
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  • Reply 4 of 12
    roccodelgrecoroccodelgreco Posts: 24member
    king editor the grate said:
    Why would it be translated through iPhone speaker rather than AirPods?
    So the person without AirPods will hear your reply in English played back in their language. 
    appleinsideruserchasm
     2Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 5 of 12
    Marvinmarvin Posts: 15,551moderator
    king editor the grate said:
    Why would it be translated through iPhone speaker rather than AirPods?
    So that the other person can hear it e.g Spanish person speaks to English person who has Airpods. Spanish to English audio is on the AirPods so the English person can hear it, the reply English to Spanish is on the iPhone speakers so the Spanish person can hear it.
    king editor the gratechasm
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  • Reply 6 of 12
    MustSeeUHDTVmustseeuhdtv Posts: 322member
    I hope this works with Apple adjacent products like Beats.
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  • Reply 7 of 12
    h2ph2p Posts: 340member
    I do love the idea of instant translations! I trust Apple will kick the sh!t out of Samsung’s implementation. (Brother in Law bought SammyBuds for his move to Puerto Rico but they were too laggy to be useful!)
    neoncat
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  • Reply 8 of 12
    timmilleatimmillea Posts: 280member
    Project Babelfish
    Precisely! Bless Douglas Adams for inventing them. Apple's next project should be the Infinite Improbability Drive. 
    chasm
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 9 of 12
    kkqd1337kkqd1337 Posts: 505member
    I can't imagine a day when this actually works and is useful in day to day life.
    williamlondon
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  • Reply 10 of 12
    king editor the grateking editor the grate Posts: 673member
    Marvin said:
    king editor the grate said:
    Why would it be translated through iPhone speaker rather than AirPods?
    So that the other person can hear it e.g Spanish person speaks to English person who has Airpods. Spanish to English audio is on the AirPods so the English person can hear it, the reply English to Spanish is on the iPhone speakers so the Spanish person can hear it.
    Ah! Thanks. I missed the preceding graph about hearing the initial translation in AirPods. In my defense, I put my dog down that day and my already precarious noodle was melting.
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  • Reply 11 of 12
    chasmchasm Posts: 3,721member
    kkqd1337 said:
    I can't imagine a day when this actually works and is useful in day to day life.
    This already works right now. Apple didn't invent the concept.

    TimeKettle gave our user group a demo of its own earpods that work with your iPhone years ago. They cost $400 these days, but they work extremely well, check them out if you can't wait.

    If Apple can shove that tech into AirPods Pro or regular AirPods via the iPhone, that would be astounding.

    As for "is useful in day to day life," I guess you don't get out much. I'm going to Germany later this year, and live in a country that is officially bilingual. I used to live in Miami, and being able to translate Spanish easily would have been VERY useful (though not mandatory in most quarters of the city) there.
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  • Reply 12 of 12
    williamlondonwilliamlondon Posts: 1,452member
    kkqd1337 said:
    I can't imagine a day when this actually works and is useful in day to day life.
    "Not for me, therefore stupid."

    FFS.
    kkqd1337
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