pixel buds google headphones translate languages in real-time

now google has launched their newest smartphone it seems the alien babel fish, envisaged in the hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy nearly 40 years ago, has become a reality. alongside the latest pixel 2 smartphone the company launched on wednesday, a pair of bluetooth headphones called the pixel buds were also revealed with a hugely notable feature – the ability to translate 40 different languages in real time.

the pixel buds are google’s latest development in bluetooth technology, all images © google

the earphones work by allowing you to engage with your google-powered assistant on your phone either by one-tap touch on the right headphone or via voice command. your artificially intelligent helper then smartly runs the google translate app to translate a language you are unable to understand before playing out loud a translated version of your response. this was demonstrated by google at their Pixel 2 event, where one english speaker and one swedish used the new devices to communicate with one another.

the headphones use one-tap technology as well as voice commands to operate

the headphones – also capable of sending and reading texts, adjusting volume, playing or pausing music, and giving map directions – will be available next month. consumers will be able to purchase a choice of three colours to match their handset – white, blue and black – and will cost $160. google says they’re compatible with pixel and android phones running version 7.0 nougat or higher.

pixel buds come in three colours – white, black and blue

‘with pixel buds, I can use real-time google translate to have a natural conversation in over 40 languages,’ said juston payne, google’s hardware product manager. ‘they let you connect with the world around you in a more natural way by rethinking how headphones should work.’

the headsets container doubles up as a portable charger allowing up to 24 hours battery time

pixel buds will retail at $160