Apple surprised us with a new feature for AirPodsand not just the new ones, offering us a very interesting live translation tool, which allowed us to go to another country, where we did not know the language, and talk to someone without problems.
However, as is customary, the European Union I saw it as a problem regarding privacy and security, forcing Apple to make some changes if it wanted this to be enabled in the countries of the continent, so, finally, despite the problems, we are going to receive it.
Translation of AirPods in Europe
Apple will launch the live translation feature for AirPods Pro and AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation next month in the European Union. Information that the company itself has confirmed.
This tool, called “Live Translation”, was already available in other countries, but its arrival in Europe was delayed due to regulatory issues linked to the Digital Markets Law (DMA).
The feature allows you to listen to instant translations of conversations in several languages, including Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean and Chinese. This will allow us to choose whether we want to read the transcription on the iPhone screen or listen to the translation directly through headphones.
To use it, you need some Compatible AirPods connected to an iPhone 15 Pro or laterwith the most recent version of iOS (probably iOS 26.2). Activation is easy: just press both headphones at the same time or open the “Live” tab within the Translation app. All using Apple Intelligence, hence the device requirements.
Although Apple warns that there may be a slight delay between what is said and what is translated, the experience is quite fluid and practical, especially for travel, international meetings, or quick conversations with people who do not share the same language. At least this is what the first people who have been able to officially test it say.
iFixit
The update will arrive in Europe for freeas one more, allowing those AirPods models to start using it like the rest of the world, so if you have AirPods Pro, or AirPods 4 (only those with noise cancellation), you can try it, even watching a movie, without having to find someone who speaks another language.
The system learns from the context and improves with use, offering translations that are increasingly more natural and adapted to the tone of the conversation. In addition, Apple continues to incorporate languages, which will allow, when the time comes, that whoever we speak to, the AirPod itself will detect it, and tell us the language it is using, and its translation if we need it.
And you, have you been able to try it? Do you think it's really worth it? This is something positive, and it will get people used to using it, however, today, it is difficult to find two people who have compatible AirPods, and who also use it, so there is still a long way to go to achieve fluid conversations, although you, individually, will be able to understand what the other person is telling you, and show them on the screen what you want to say.
