According to Bloomberg, Apple plans to introduce live translation functionality to AirPods by the end of this year.

Sources indicate that the feature will be included in a software update for AirPods set to launch in late 2025. This update will be integrated with iOS 19, the next-generation operating system for iPhones.

Live translation and software upgrades

Competing earbuds, such as Google Pixel Buds, have had translation capabilities for years. Apple has also offered a standalone translation app for iPhones since 2020. However, the news of AirPods incorporating this feature has generated excitement among Apple users.

Bloomberg explains that the feature will work as follows: when an English-speaking user hears someone speaking Spanish, their iPhone will translate the conversation in real time and relay it through their AirPods -and vice versa.

This AirPods update is part of Apple’s broader effort to revamp its software ecosystem. The company is preparing for its most significant overhaul of iOS in history, along with a redesign of macOS, to cater to a new generation of users. Additionally, Apple is enhancing its translation technology within iOS 19.

Apple regularly adds new features to AirPods through software updates, allowing users to access new functionalities without purchasing new hardware. For example, in 2024, Apple introduced hearing-related features for the second-generation AirPods Pro, including an in-ear hearing test that does not require a doctor’s visit.

New AirPods hardware in development

In addition to software improvements, Apple is actively developing new AirPods hardware, including the third-generation AirPods Pro. The company is also reportedly working on an innovative AirPods model featuring an integrated camera and AI-powered environmental analysis.

Last year, Apple introduced new color options for the AirPods Max and the fourth-generation AirPods.

Du Lam