It’s that time again, for Google to announce that real-time translation has come to one of its communication apps. This time, it’s Google Meet, which can translate between English and Spanish as you speak in a video call. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it’s not the first time Google has announced something like this.
Google Translate has had features that let you speak to someone in another language in real time for a while. For example, back in 2019, there was a real-time translation feature called Interpreter Mode built into Google Assistant . It’s also been possible on Pixel phones for a while (and even Samsung phones ). Most of these, however, have been either text-to-text, or speech-to-text. You can use the Google Translate app for a speech-to-speech experience, but like with Google Assistant’s Interpreter Mode, that only works in person.
So, what’s different here? Well, during its I/O keynote, Google demoed two users in a video chat speaking in their native languages. Google Meet then translates and speaks the translation back in a relatively human-sounding voice. This new feature is available now for Google Workspace subscribers (plans start at $7/month ), but unfortunately, it’s not in the free version. On the plus side, additional languages are promised to start coming out in just a few weeks.
While I haven’t tested it out yet, it does seem to be a more convenient way to access a feature that you might otherwise have to hack together with another tab, or by opening your phone and holding it up to a speaker. Plus, it can be a bit more natural to hear translations spoken out for you, rather than having to rely on translated captions. I do wonder whether it can keep up with the natural speed and flow of a conversation, though—nobody likes to feel interrupted.
