These Fascinating Wireless Headphones Can Translate 40 Languages In Real-Time

Imagine a world where you can speak and understand any language without having to learn it. Google has promised this future with its new Pixel Buds.

They were unveiled at an event in San Francisco, where Google also revealed its new Pixel 2 phone as well as an update to the Google Home device, and other updates in products and services.

But the Pixel Buds really grabbed our attention. For anyone who has read The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, they’ll immediately elicit thoughts of the Babel Fish, which when put into your ear allows any language to be understood, in real time.

Well, that's kind of the same. These wireless headphones, not too different from Apple’s Air Pods, sit in your ear. They're attached to each other with a wire and have a touch panel on the front.

Google claims that the Pixel Buds can translate up to 40 languages using the existing Google Translate technology. You just have to hold the right earbud and say, for instance, “help me speak Chinese”. When you next speak, the Buds will play the translation out loud in Chinese. If someone speaks to you in Chinese, the Buds will translate the phrase in your ear.

This may sound like magic, but Google Translate is already pretty well established (although not always totally accurate). Therefore, it makes sense that Google apply this technology on the fly to audio – even though that may not be music to the ears of several start-ups that promise similar technology.

Compared to the rest big reveals, Google was pretty nonchalant about this one. However, it could be incredible. Imagine going to any country and being able to speak their language. Not bad.

Google isn't the first to offer this technology. Skype as well as a start-up called Pilot both touted speech translations. However, the Pixel Buds' advantage is the real-time feature and the fact that it's accurate and affordable. They will retail for just $159. They’ll begin going on sale in November – and perhaps they'll change the world. A bit.