Google Meet Introduces Real-Time English-German Language Translation

Google Meet has launched a real-time translation feature that converts spoken English into German and vice versa with minimal latency. This innovative tool is now available in Germany, enhancing communication across language barriers.

Unlike translation functionalities tied to specific devices, such as Apple's new AirPods Pro, Google's offering is integrated directly within the Google Meet platform. This feature is particularly designed for meetings but can also be utilized for personal conversations. Currently in beta testing, initial feedback indicates impressive performance, allowing users to follow translations closely, with voice and intonation aligned to the original speech.

The challenge of translating spoken language lies in its inherent unpredictability; speakers often interrupt themselves, shift topics, or alter sentence structures spontaneously. Google's AI model, responsible for these translations, does not simply translate word-for-word but rather aims to function like an interpreter, capturing the essence of the conversation. Though the translations are generally accurate, occasional errors may still occur.

This real-time translation capability was first showcased at Google I/O and has been available on Pixel devices for some time, enabling local translations. The Pixel 10 series even includes a live phone translation feature, which operates entirely on-device.

The Google Meet translation feature is accessible to subscribers of Google AI Pro and Ultra packages; only one participant in a meeting needs to have access to enable the feature. Users can select their preferred language and must consent to data usage for the service. The processing occurs both locally and in the cloud, with available languages including German, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and French.

While Google has not confirmed plans for integrating this technology into future AI glasses or other products, there are indications that development is ongoing. The Project Astra initiative, which focuses on smart glasses and real-time communication powered by AI, suggests potential future applications. Additionally, Google offers a Translate app that currently transcribes spoken language into text, which can then be read aloud, indicating another area where the new translation capabilities could be beneficial.