Apple, Google, and Meta Race to Realize Sci-Fi Universal Translator with AI-Powered Live Translation in Earbuds and Devices

Apple, Google, and Meta are making significant strides toward turning the long-fantasy of a universal translator into reality. Once confined to science fiction in shows like "Star Trek" and books like "The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy," real-time language translation is now becoming a tangible feature in consumer electronics. At its recent iPhone event, Apple showcased a demo of its new Live Translation feature, built into the AirPods Pro 3. In the video, an English-speaking tourist in a Spanish-speaking country receives real-time audio translation through her AirPods. As a florist speaks in Spanish, the tourist hears a clear, natural-sounding English translation in her ear—“Today all the red carnations are 50% off”—with near-instantaneous delivery. This feature is one of several AI-driven advancements being rolled out by major tech companies. Apple’s Live Translation will be available on the AirPods Pro 3, priced at $250, starting next week. It will also be updated to AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2, launching on Monday. The system enables two-way, real-time translation between users wearing AirPods, allowing conversations in different languages to be understood simultaneously. The feature requires Apple Intelligence, the company’s new AI suite, which runs on newer iPhone models. Analysts believe this could be a major driver for device upgrades. “If we can actually use the AirPods for live translations, that's a feature that would actually get people to upgrade,” said DA Davidson analyst Gil Luria. The push for real-time translation is fueled by advances in generative AI, particularly following the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022. Since then, AI models have improved dramatically in understanding and generating natural-sounding speech across languages. Apple isn’t the only player. Google and Meta are also investing in similar capabilities. Google’s Pixel Buds and Meta’s AI-powered devices are testing real-time translation features, often integrated with cloud-based AI models. However, a growing number of specialized translation devices are already on the market. Companies like Pocketalk and Vasco Electronics offer standalone gadgets and headphones focused exclusively on translation. Pocketalk’s device, priced at $299, supports 95 languages and is used in real-world settings like schools and hospitals. Its U.S. general manager, Joe Miller, argues that these tools offer advantages over smartphone-based options—especially in privacy, accuracy, and linguistic nuance. Vasco Electronics, for instance, employs linguists alongside AI to improve translation quality. Their new headphones can even mimic a user’s voice, a feature similar to Google’s voice cloning tool. Despite Apple’s scale—shipping around 18 million wireless earbuds in the first quarter alone—its Live Translation is currently limited to just five languages. This puts it behind competitors like Pocketalk, which supports far more. Moreover, Apple has not yet made Live Translation available in the European Union, a gap that gives European-focused companies a competitive edge. Experts agree the true value of this technology lies beyond tourism. “This isn't about luxury tourism and travel,” Miller said. “This is about the intersection of language and friction, when a discussion needs to be had.” In healthcare, education, and international business, instant, accurate translation could break down barriers and improve communication across cultures.