It’s time to announce again that Google has announced that real-time translation is coming to one of its communication apps. This time it’s Google Meet, which can translate English to Spanish while you speak on a video call. If that sounds familiar, it’s because this isn’t the first time Google has announced something like this.

Google Translate has had features that let you speak to someone in another language in real time for a while now. For example, back in 2019, Google Assistant had a real-time translation feature built into it called Interpreter Mode. It was also available on Pixel phones (and even Samsung phones ) for a while. However, most of these were either text-to-text or speech-to-text. You can use the Google Translate app to translate speech, but like Google Assistant’s Translator Mode, it only works in person.

So, what’s different here? Well, during its I/O keynote, Google demoed two users in a video chat speaking in their native languages. Google Meet then translates and reads the translations back to you in a relatively human voice. This new feature is available now for Google Workspace subscribers ( plans start at $7 per month ), but unfortunately, it’s not included in the free version. On the bright side, additional languages ​​are expected to start rolling out in just a few weeks.

While I haven’t tested it yet, it seems like a more convenient way to access a feature that you might have to hack through using another tab or opening your phone and holding it to the speaker. Plus, it might be a little more natural to hear translations spoken to you than relying on translated subtitles. I wonder if it can maintain a natural speed and flow of conversation, though no one likes to be interrupted.

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It’s time to announce again that Google has announced that real-time translation is coming to one of its communication apps. This time it’s Google Meet, which can translate English to Spanish while you speak on a video call. If that sounds familiar, it’s because this isn’t the first time Google has announced something like this.

Google Translate has had features that let you speak to someone in another language in real time for a while now. For example, back in 2019, Google Assistant had a real-time translation feature built into it called Interpreter Mode. It was also available on Pixel phones (and even Samsung phones ) for a while. However, most of these were either text-to-text or speech-to-text. You can use the Google Translate app to translate speech, but like Google Assistant’s Translator Mode, it only works in person.

So, what’s different here? Well, during its I/O keynote, Google demoed two users in a video chat speaking in their native languages. Google Meet then translates and reads the translations back to you in a relatively human voice. This new feature is available now for Google Workspace subscribers ( plans start at $7 per month ), but unfortunately, it’s not included in the free version. On the bright side, additional languages ​​are expected to start rolling out in just a few weeks.

While I haven’t tested it yet, it seems like a more convenient way to access a feature that you might have to hack through using another tab or opening your phone and holding it to the speaker. Plus, it might be a little more natural to hear translations spoken to you than relying on translated subtitles. I wonder if it can maintain a natural speed and flow of conversation, though no one likes to be interrupted.

More…