Google has rolled out two major new features for its Translate app, bringing AI-powered live translation and language learning tools to millions of users. The update marks a significant shift for the app from basic text translation toward becoming both a real-time interpreter and a language tutor.
The first new feature, called “Live Translate,” enables real-time conversations between people speaking different languages. Users simply open the Translate app, tap “Live translate,” select their languages, and start talking. The app automatically translates speech in both directions, with translations appearing on screen and being read aloud.
“Our advanced AI models are now making it even easier to have a live conversation in more than 70 languages — including Arabic, French, Hindi, Korean, Spanish, and Tamil,” Google product manager Matt Sheets explained in the company’s announcement.
The system is designed to handle real-world conversations by recognizing natural pauses, accents, and intonations. Google claims its voice recognition models can isolate sounds effectively even in noisy environments like busy airports or restaurants.
Currently, Live Translate is available only in the United States, India, and Mexico, with wider rollout expected in the future.
The second major addition is a new “Practice” feature that puts Google in direct competition with language learning apps like Duolingo. This beta tool creates personalized language exercises based on a user’s skill level and goals.
Users can set specific learning objectives like ordering food at restaurants or having business conversations, and the app generates tailored listening and speaking exercises. The system tracks daily progress and adapts to the user’s developing skills.
For now, Practice is limited to English speakers learning Spanish or French, and Spanish, French, or Portuguese speakers learning English. Google says the feature was “developed with learning experts based on the latest studies in language acquisition.”
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The new features are powered by Google’s Gemini AI models, which the company credits with improving translation quality, multimodal capabilities, and text-to-speech functions. Google reports that people translate approximately one trillion words monthly across its services, including Translate, Search, Lens, and Circle to Search.
These updates come as AI translation tools are increasingly capable of breaking down language barriers. When asked whether such tools might make language learning obsolete, Sheets defended the value of personal language skills: “There’s something really powerful about being able to speak directly with someone else yourself.”
The announcement appears to have rattled competitors in the language learning space. Duolingo’s stock initially dropped 3% following Google’s announcement before recovering. Duolingo, which has 130 million active users but only about 10% paying customers, has already been facing pressure from AI models capable of language translation and instruction.
A Duolingo spokesperson emphasized the company’s focus on making language learning engaging: “At Duolingo, we’ve spent 13 years building motivation and making it fun to keep going – because sticking with it is the hardest part of self-learning.”
While Google hasn’t announced any plans to charge for these new features, some industry observers have noted that previous app code updates suggested potential paid tiers in the future.
For now, both features are available in the Google Translate app for Android and iOS, potentially changing how millions approach both cross-language conversations and language learning itself.
