Apple has been shifting its focus toward integrating wellness features into its AirPods lineup rather than marketing them as mere wireless earbuds. Late last year, the AirPods Pro 2 received notable enhancements, including Loud Sound Reduction, a built-in hearing test, and hearing aid capabilities.
Now, fresh reports suggest Apple is preparing to introduce a groundbreaking conversational tool. According to Bloomberg, the company plans to implement real-time language translation into AirPods later this year. The goal is to eliminate language barriers and facilitate seamless in-person conversations.
A Game-Changing Feature in the Works
This innovative feature is reportedly in active development and could roll out through a software update as part of the iOS 19 ecosystem. The translation system will be a two-way interaction, with both the AirPods and the iPhone playing crucial roles in the process.
How Will It Function?
The iPhone will act as the central translation hub. When one person speaks in language A, the device will translate the speech into language B and relay the audio through the AirPods. At the same time, language B will be converted back into language A, with the translated speech broadcasted via the iPhone’s speakers for the second participant.
At this point, it remains unclear which translation engine Apple plans to leverage. The report does not specify whether Apple will rely on AI-assisted translation or how many languages the system will support. Nonetheless, this feature marks a significant advancement, even if Apple is not the first to introduce such technology.
Apple Enters an Established Market
Apple’s approach to real-time translation arrives years after its competitors have explored similar features. Google’s Pixel Buds, for example, have supported live translation for some time now, using the Google Translate engine to enable communication in nearly 50 languages. Google’s system includes Conversation Mode for real-time dialogue and Transcribe Mode for longer speech segments.
Beyond Google, several other brands have integrated real-time translation into their wireless earbuds. The recently launched Earfun AirPro 4+ boasts an AI-powered translation feature, while older models like the Mymanu Click and Mars earbuds have been offering multilingual support since 2017. The market has even seen dedicated “translation earbuds” emerge, such as the Timekettle X1, which caters to business professionals and enterprise clients.
In addition to earbuds, AI-driven language translation is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Google’s Gemini AI, for example, already provides advanced language translation services.
Apple’s Potential Approach
Apple’s entry into this space leaves room for multiple possibilities. The company has an ongoing partnership with OpenAI, which could enable ChatGPT-powered translation when Siri encounters limitations. At the same time, neural machine translation has advanced significantly, with several open-source models available for potential integration.
Meta, for instance, made headlines back in 2022 by open-sourcing its AI-assisted translation tool, which supports nearly 200 languages. However, given Apple’s strong emphasis on privacy, the company might take a different route. Instead of relying on cloud-based translation, Apple could develop an on-device system, ensuring both faster processing and enhanced user security.
As anticipation builds, Apple’s real-time translation feature for AirPods has the potential to revolutionize cross-language communication. Whether through its own proprietary AI or a trusted partner, Apple’s approach could set new standards for privacy-focused, real-time multilingual interactions.
