Apple, Google and Meta are trying to perfect a science-fiction gadget: The universal translator

Core Insights - Apple has introduced the AirPods Pro 3 featuring a Live Translation capability, allowing real-time translation of languages such as French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish into English [4][5] - The launch of this feature is part of a broader trend in the tech industry, with competitors like Google and Meta also developing similar real-time translation technologies [3][6] Company Developments - The AirPods Pro 3 are priced at $250 and will be available for sale next week, with Live Translation also being rolled out as an update for AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 [4] - Analysts view the Live Translation feature as a significant advancement in Apple's AI strategy, potentially driving upgrades among users [5][6] Industry Trends - The competition in the translation technology space is intensifying, with Google’s Pixel 10 phone and Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses also offering real-time translation features [7][9] - The rise of AI-driven translation tools poses a threat to traditional translators and interpreters, as a Microsoft Research study indicates that 98% of translators' work activities overlap with AI capabilities [11] Market Dynamics - Apple's entry into the translation market could expose a larger customer base to advancements in translation technology, given the company's substantial sales of wireless headphones [14] - Despite Apple's advancements, purpose-built translation devices claim to offer higher accuracy due to their focus on linguistics and human input [15][16]