Pixel Buds Real-Time Translations Available on All Google Assistant Headphones

Google’s Pixel Buds may not be the smash success that Apple’s AirPods have become in the wireless earbuds space, but there’s no denying that their ability to do real-time translations in conversation with another person is both ridiculously cool and useful. In a move that appears to have come without much public acknowledgement, Google is making those same real-time Google Translate powers available to all Google Assistant-optimized headphones.

Google updated one of their Pixel Buds support pages yesterday to note that “Google Translate is available on all Assistant-optimized headphones and Android phones,” where it used to say “Google Translate on Google Pixel Buds is only available on Pixel phones.”

This change makes a lot of sense since the USB-C buds that Google includes in the box with the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL can do real-time translations. We also should have assumed this was coming after the newish LG Tone SE neckbuds arrived with Translate too. What’s maybe more important, though, is the fact that these real-time translations aren’t a Pixel phone exclusive either. I just tried it with my Essential phone and the Pixel USB-C earbuds and it works like it does on the Pixel 3.

There aren’t many other details available or a list of headphones that can use Google Translate like the Pixel Buds, but if you own a pair of Assistant-optimized cans (Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II, Sony 1000XM2), give it a try.