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Google Pixel Buds Are Wireless Earbuds That Translate Conversations In Real Time (arstechnica.com)
At its hardware event today, Google debuted new wireless earbuds, dubbed "Pixel Buds." These are Google's first wireless earbuds that give users access to Google Translate so they can have conversations with people who speak a different language. Ars Technica reports: Unlike Apple's AirPods, the Pixel Buds have a wire connecting the two earpieces. However, that wire doesn't connect to a smartphone or other device. Pixel Buds will pair via Bluetooth to the new Pixel smartphones -- and presumably any other devices that accept Bluetooth wireless earbuds. All of the Pixel Buds' controls are built in to the right earpiece, which is a common hardware solution on wireless earbuds. You can access Google Assistant by tapping or pressing on the right earbud, and the Assistant will be able to read notifications and messages to you through the Buds.
But the most intriguing feature of the Pixel Buds is the integrated Google Translate feature. Demoed on stage at Google's event today, this feature lets two Pixel Bud wearers chat in their native languages by translating conversations in real time. In the demo, a native English speaker and a native Swedish speaker had a conversation with each other, both using their native languages. Google Translate translated the languages for each user. There was barely any lag time in between the speaker saying a phrase and the Buds' hearing those words and translating them into the appropriate language. The Pixel Buds will use Google Translate to comprehend conversations in 40 different languages. Some other features include a 5-hour battery life, and a charging case that can hold up to 24 hours of battery life. They're available for preorder today for $159.
But the most intriguing feature of the Pixel Buds is the integrated Google Translate feature. Demoed on stage at Google's event today, this feature lets two Pixel Bud wearers chat in their native languages by translating conversations in real time. In the demo, a native English speaker and a native Swedish speaker had a conversation with each other, both using their native languages. Google Translate translated the languages for each user. There was barely any lag time in between the speaker saying a phrase and the Buds' hearing those words and translating them into the appropriate language. The Pixel Buds will use Google Translate to comprehend conversations in 40 different languages. Some other features include a 5-hour battery life, and a charging case that can hold up to 24 hours of battery life. They're available for preorder today for $159.
We all know that processing is not done on the phone.
Which means the real headline should read "Google earbuds will send every word back to the mothership for processing."
For this to be a killer-app it needs to be on-device translation. High-speed internet connections and high-speed mobile data connections are not common enough outside (and even inside) cities for this to be something you could usefully rely upon.
I could see where this could be useful. Just last week, I went to the Thai massage parlor and the girl asked me if I wanted "the works". When I said yes, they gave me a mop and bucket and told me to start in the lobby.
You are welcome on my lawn.
Number of times I wanted to listen to music in the past week? 3.
Number of times I wanted a translation in the past, Oh, I dunno, 50 years? 0.
On the other hand, it'll probably be a lot more useful than any of the new "features" they keep shoehorning into Firefox. (Just added lockPref("browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.enabled", false); to my mozilla.cfg file.)
It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
The numbers are reversed for me. To each his own.
I hadn't known there were so many idiots in the world until I started using the Internet -Stanislaw Lem
There are many settings where this could be very useful outside of the UN. Like any business dealing with a multi-ethnic customer base (and no, I don't mean multi-national corporations only - it could apply to many corner stores in NYC for example). Or that country that you've wanted to visit but you don't speak the language of, and they don't speak English.
I hadn't known there were so many idiots in the world until I started using the Internet -Stanislaw Lem
From what I've seen in stand-up comedy and TV shows, it could be useful for Americans wanting to take a vacation in the UK.
#DeleteFacebook
This is clearly the most high-tech way yet to say: "My hovercraft is full of eels"
Number of times I wanted a translation in the past, Oh, I dunno, 50 years? 0.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness,
Actually, with that in mind, it's probably safest if you continue to stay where you are.
Any steps towards effective universal translators are most welcome!
Time is what keeps everything from happening all at once.
This sounds like you need the GOOGLE earbuds to allow translation services, which happens on the phone. Is this just an attempt at vendor lock-in? Or will this work with any bluetooth headphone supporting device? I don't see how it could.
This abandonment of the headphone jack really looks to be rather expensive and inconvenient to the end user. Almost feels like they are copying the inkjet printer refill fiasco.
Listen to music? About 8 hours a day.
Translations in the last two weeks? A few dozen (China, Malaysia). These would be awesome to have just for the translation capabilities.
Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
You've been able to do more or less the same demo with an Android Gear watch and phone for a couple of years. The output was just text instead of spoken aloud. Honestly it would be a lot nicer if both people could just speak through a single phone. Their new ability to recognize speakers combined with language detection should be enough for that, you'd think. This just feels awkward. If you could invite a robot translator into a phone call, that would be awesome.
All that foreign porn and NOT ONCE have you wondered what they were saying?
#DeleteFacebook
Come on, Google, you know everybody's just going to call it "Babelfish."
My guess is he is a suburbanite who is afraid of meeting new people so never has seen a foreigner.
My first reaction upon reading this was, "Wow, that's a game changer. Time to embrace Google." This would be fantastic for someone like me who is routinely around people speak little to no English.
Then I remembered that Google Translate mostly churns out total nonsense when going to/from Chinese, and I was less excited.
Translations, how about the entirety of the internet that is not English based, every bit of text, every video, not so much music though, as it translate differently https://www.youtube.com/watch?....
No to get away from the clearly planted diversions, the biggest problem Google, which is a demostated corrupt political player and acting in the most evil ways to pervert democracy in it's investors and directors personal favour, listen in on your conversations and not just listening actively processing those conversations for in depth analysis.
Localised translate built into the device, fantastic. Remote, we will listen in, process and record every conversation, 'er', fuck off. Especially not the democracy corrupting, tax cheating, CIA/NSA spy partner and deep state supporter, that is Google, the do lots of evil, real serious evil, corporation. To show that I am fair, hey YouTube you fucking morons, want to make money, easy charge for uploads but only charge those who sign up for ad revenue, you know $1 per minute of upload and then they have skin in the game with regard to ad revenue for that content. Those who do not want ad revenue get free uploads, done and finished, self regulating, you fuckwits.
Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
Google Translate might just be fatal in a real time conversation...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKxaxrxVMsg
You have the right to remain sentient. If you give up the right to remain sentient, you will be elected to public office
I just pulled out my phone, opened Translate, spoke and immediately had the translation spoken back to me.
I still think its pretty cool, but what is it about these new earbuds that has any bearing on this bidirectional spoken translation capability which has been baked into the Translate app for ages?
Anyone who speaks more than one language will tell you that context is one of the biggest hurdles in translating language. It's not just straight word for word translation, the context might not be given until you get to the end of the sentence, so it is actually impossible to translate language in real time.
Even for native speakers of multiple languages you have to wait until the end of the sentence before translating. So the TFS is fucking bullshit (again).
Yes you need the Google earbuds. It was done that way for "UX reasons". https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15404918
The earbuds send the data to the phone which sends it to Google which translates everything into "my hovercraft is full of eels" and then sends it back to your phone which sends it to the earbuds.
The only new part here is of course the earbuds.
I suppose they could use the same tech with Google Glass 2, only you'd see subtitles.
Can't believe it took this long for a babelfish reference - and then you go and muck it up.
ôó
Google Translate works better (not superbly well, mind you) for translating language like Swedish (closely related to English) than, say, Finnish or Cantonese.Of course, most working-age Swedes speak rather understandable English...
Your confusion stems from the fact that the ambiguity of the word yellow. When Douglas Adams wrote that bit, he was using a particular dialect of English in which the words "yellow" and "orange" are basically the same, and only the context gives you any clue as to precisely which color is being referred to.
Without any real context, it's impossible to tell whether he meant yellow as in the yellow of a fresh lemon, or the yellow of the sun, (which only appears as yellow as it does because of its sheer intensity,) which at times takes on a hue more closely resembling that of a certain other citrus fruit, with a name famously difficult to find rhymes for in English, or any other color value that is at least similar to either.
Also... I hear he was colorblind anyway, so... what difference does it make?
1. Grab an Android phone
2. Open Google translate
3. Tap "Offline translation", pick a language to download
4. Put the phone into airplane mode
5. Tap and talk
Surprise, it works.
My guess is he is a suburbanite who is afraid of meeting new people so never has seen a foreigner.
Fuck you monkey, go back to your own shitty hindustan, I don't want you here.
Guess confirmed. In only 8 minutes!
Note to ACs: I usually delete AC replies without reading them. If you want to talk to me, log in.
All hail Douglas Adams. So long and thanks for all the fish.
All good reasons on that link... until you remember that none of those reasons would apply if they had kept a 3.5mm headphone socket for wired headphones.
There is a pretty big world outside of your country. You should visit sometime. I use translation nearly every day.
hope they work better than google translate! as if that translation engine is used you are well and truly up shit creek without a paddle if you rely on the shit translations it provides.
Translation does not happen on the phone. All what you hear will be sent to Google
Precisely. Unless you simply download the small language pack in Google translate enabling it to work on video, audio and text completely offline. You know, like when you're in another country without mobile coverage.
Oh what, didn't fit your narrative?
Or will this work with any bluetooth headphone supporting device? I don't see how it could.
I think this may be vendor lock-in. There doesn't seem to be any capability here that isn't part of Google translate with the exception of doing it with a button from the headset.
Let me see, living in Norway, but having a geographically quite spread out company.. in the last year I've travelled to:
- Sweden (2x)
- UK (3-4x)
- Ireland (1x)
- France (1x)
- Italy (1x)
- Spain (10x+)
- Mexico (1x)
- Bulgaria (1x) (vacation)
- Netherlands (1x) (vacataion)
While Sweden, UK and Ireland were entirely fine without translator devices - I absolutely needed to use translation services on a daily basis in the rest of the countries (Well, ok, the dutch speak english quite fluently)
I'd love to have a Google Babelfish in when travelling for business, which I do quite a lot.
No, normal Bluetooth headphones should work, assuming you use your phone a microphone for the other person. The translation service should also work offline as long as you're using an android phone (although, it won't be as good as the online translation).
I think this is just a marketing play because Google noticed that a different manufacturer did something similar with android hardware that one would place around one's neck and charged thousands of dollars for the device.
To be honest -- that's not really all that geographically spread out. Except for Mexico, you could fit all that in a Canadian province almost. Nationally spread out, sure. But all of those places a very close geographically.
From what I've seen in stand-up comedy and TV shows, it could be useful for Americans wanting to take a vacation in the UK.
Why is it that Americans moan about hard to understand UK dialects/accents, whereas no one here has any problem watching US TV shows whether they're set in Alaska, New York or Texas? Is American English just more homogeneous?
To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
From my Canadian point of view, UK is hard to understand because of the expressions, not because of the accent.
#DeleteFacebook
Comment removed based on user account deletion
Not really. Canada is just very large.
I want this. In San Antonio it's very common for people to switch to Spanish whenever they see a white person come near.
My brother and I made up a nonsensical language that we would switch to in elevators and other places when this would happen. We had no idea what we were saying but at least we helped the other people not be the only jerks in the room :)
Just having it a work would be a dream when my peers and managers switch to Spanish and start giggling and laughing, Funny thing is that they get pissed when people from Korea switch to Korean in front of them
Don't be so fricken sensitive. It was clearly a joke.
It's a pretty established one too. Simpsons and Arrested Development come to mind with several jokes on this.
Honestly, we have trouble understanding anything we are not exposed to consistently. I watch allot of Dr Who other BBC shows and have no trouble with most the accents there but get stuck hearing a US northeastern accent.
People will now be hearing all kinds of "Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra", finally realizing how much of what we say is in phrases and not words.
Ahh, their eyes open; their sails unfurl.
(-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
Number of times I wanted to listen to music in the past week? 3.
Number of times I wanted a translation in the past, Oh, I dunno, 50 years? 0.
I dunno, could be useful for listening to the coworkers who switch languages to talk about the juicy things. You know when they stop speaking English and start speaking their native language it must be something juicy.
"That's the way to do it" - Punch
All that foreign porn and NOT ONCE have you wondered what they were saying?
All I know is... French women talk a lot about urinating when they get excited.
Wee... wee....
"That's the way to do it" - Punch
From what I've seen in stand-up comedy and TV shows, it could be useful for Americans wanting to take a vacation in the UK.
Why is it that Americans moan about hard to understand UK dialects/accents, whereas no one here has any problem watching US TV shows whether they're set in Alaska, New York or Texas? Is American English just more homogeneous?
Actually... yes.
America has it's own regional dialects but it's nothing like Britain; with some exceptions, you can travel two or three states and not notice a change in accent. It's not like Britain where if you drive 30 miles from Merseyside to Manchester and the accent is vastly different.
There's certainly a difference between a Boston accent and an Alabaman accent but it's not nearly as different as Geordie to west country.
"That's the way to do it" - Punch
Don't be numpty and spread such porkies la.
"That's the way to do it" - Punch
Anyone got a link to the video that works?
== Jez ==
Do you miss Firefox? Try Pale Moon.
Porn has audio?
Wanna buy a shirt?
https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u
I've worked with people from so many nationalities across the world. Something like this is truly amazing and a great step forward.
Judge Chamberlain Haller: Uh did you say ‘yutes’? Vinny Gambini: Yeah, two yutes. Judge Chamberlain Haller: What is a yute? Vinny Gambini: Oh, excuse me, your honor https://youtu.be/K6qGwmXZtsE?t...
The "universal translator" LOL.
First, how does it know, or do you tell it, what language to translate?
And second... I read that red book that led me to want to learn more about lead, and wha's happenin', babeeee?
At work, we have a "hybrid phone, and we get "voicemail previews" "powered by M% speech technology". They range from sorta-kind ok, to Vogon poetry. Now, *I* wouldn't let alpha software out the door, but we are talking M$, where *you* are the (unpaid) beta tester.
Ummm... why not just learn Spanish?
Don't tell me you've never heard a True Scotsman speak? It's practically unintelligible, until you get used to it.
The Quirkz Handbook of Self-Improvement for People Who Are Already Pretty Okay
The three lights in a traffic light are green, orange, and red. And the English orange is the same colour as the American yellow.
Learn to love Alaska
The story that the translation happens in the earbuds is simply lie. Questioning the obvious like doesn't mean one has an agenda. Default in the cloud, with options for on the phone. It was a lie by omission in the article. Why are you supporting their lies?
Learn to love Alaska
Translation does not happen on the phone. All what you hear will be sent to Google
Precisely. Unless you simply download the small language pack in Google translate enabling it to work on video, audio and text completely offline. You know, like when you're in another country without mobile coverage.
Great. Then tell me please the link where to download the the "small language pack" for Greece, where I intended to spend my next holiday. Or is there none to fit your narrative?
So more of an Amber?
Listen to music? About 8 hours a day.
A babel fish sounds great, but with 5 hours of battery life when brand new, these won't get you through a day with music.
If you want a vision of the future, imagine a youtube comments section scrolling - forever.
Err the download button is immediately to the right of the language select button, next to the word "Greek".
Silly users don't fit the narrative very well.
All good reasons on that link... until you remember that none of those reasons would apply if they had kept a 3.5mm headphone socket for wired headphones.
WTF does a 3.5 mm headphone jack have to do with BT earbuds?
If anything, that makes this product MORE compatible across devices and platforms.
For the translation services, you have to use the Google BT headphones, there are no other compatible options. The reasons they give for making it specific to their headset are all specific to BT headphones. If they had support for a 3.5mm TRRS plug then they would have compatibility with a huge range of other options.
For the translation services, you have to use the Google BT headphones, there are no other compatible options. The reasons they give for making it specific to their headset are all specific to BT headphones. If they had support for a 3.5mm TRRS plug then they would have compatibility with a huge range of other options.
I would think that the real reason is that those earbuds have an App that receives a dedicated command from the earbuds, initiating the translation and text to speech process.
Just guessing, though.
These could be a boon to foreign film buffs who have to continuously switch their attention from the action to the sub-titles. (A shit-load of films are available with sub-titles, but not audio translations).