What is Google's real-time translation feature? Wearing headphones will help you understand every language. Learn how it works

Google has begun rolling out a new beta feature to its Translate app, allowing users to listen to real-time translations through headphones. This new feature transforms regular wired or wireless headphones into live translators. 

This means that understanding conversations, speeches, lectures, or videos in a foreign language is now easier than ever. Google says this feature will be especially useful during travel, meetings, and live conversations.

The speaker's voice and intonation will also remain intact.

According to Google, this real-time translation not only translates words but also maintains the speaker's tone, emphasis, and speed. 

This makes it easier for the listener to understand who is speaking and what is being said. This feature supports over 70 languages ​​and can be used with any wired or wireless headphones.

This beta feature of Google Translate , available for Android users in India,

is currently available to Android device users in India, the United States, and Mexico. The company has clarified that this feature will be gradually rolled out to iOS users and other countries in 2026. This means that currently, only users using Android phones can take advantage of it.

How to use real-time translation in Google Translate

This new feature is very easy to use. To do this, open the Google Translate app on your Android phone and connect your headphones. Then, tap the Live Translate option in the app. 

Here, you'll first select the language you want to hear and then set the language you want the translation in. Once the settings are complete, the translation will be played directly in your headphones as soon as someone speaks. This feature can be very useful for live conversations, lectures, speeches, or watching foreign language shows while traveling.

Translate gets smarter with Gemini AI

Google is also integrating its advanced Gemini AI into Translate in addition to this feature. The aim is to make translation more natural and fluent, especially for slang, idioms, and local expressions. 

Translate now translates words based on their meaning instead of simply translating them. For example, phrases like “stealing my thunder” will now be translated based on their original meaning instead of a literal translation. 

This Gemini-powered update is currently rolling out in the US and India for translations from English to nearly 20 languages, including Hindi, Arabic, Japanese, German, Spanish, and Chinese.

This new Gemini AI upgrade isn't limited to Android. Google has made it available for all three platforms: Android, iOS,
and the web, so that more users can experience smarter and better translation.

Good news for language learners,

Google has also improved its language learning tools. The company is expanding these features to approximately 20 new countries, including India. 

Now, users will be able to practice English or any other language with better feedback, suggestions for improving pronunciation, and progress tracking. 

A new streak counter has also been added to help users maintain their regularity. With these changes, the Google Translate experience has now become closer to that of learning apps like Duolingo.