Yet again, Apple is at the forefront innovation.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is reportedly working on a groundbreaking new feature for AirPods that would enable real-time, in-person translation of conversations.
Expected to launch later this year as part of an AirPods software upgrade, the translation feature is likely to coincide with the release of iOS 19.
According to Gurman, if an English speaker and a Spanish speaker were conversing, the iPhone would listen to the Spanish speaker, translate their words, and relay the translation to the AirPods. It would then listen for the English speaker’s response, translate it, and play it out loud through the iPhone’s speakers.
Apple’s approach is similar to translation features already found in competitors’ devices. Google’s Pixel Buds have supported live translation for years, and Samsung introduced the capability to its Galaxy Buds lineup in 2024. Both companies utilize a similar phone-assisted method for real-time translation, but Apple’s implementation will likely integrate deeply with iOS, potentially offering a more seamless experience.
If the translation feature launches with iOS 19, it would add to the growing speculation that the upcoming update will be one of Apple’s most significant software overhauls in years. Reports suggest that iOS 19, iPadOS, and macOS are set to receive major design changes, including revamped icons, menus, and improved app functionality. Gurman has described the update as “one of the most dramatic software overhauls in the company’s history.”
While this translation update is software-based, Apple is also rumored to be developing a revolutionary new pair of AirPods equipped with built-in cameras. These next-generation AirPods, expected to debut in 2027, would function similarly to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. Rather than being designed for photography, the embedded cameras would analyze the user's surroundings, leveraging Apple Intelligence to provide contextual information and enhanced real-world interactions.
More details on iOS 19 and its anticipated features—including AirPods translation—are expected to be unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this summer. However, information about the camera-equipped AirPods may take longer to surface as development continues.
