Google has announced a bunch of new features and updates for Google Translate. For starters, the language translation service is now powered by advanced Gemini capabilities to improve translation for idioms, local expressions, slang, or other phrases with more nuanced meanings.
Instead of a word-for-word translation for an idiom, Gemini allows Translate to produce a more natural, accurate translation that better conveys what the idiom actually means. The new update is rolling out to web, Android, and iOS users living in the US and India, with the ability to translate between English and 20 other languages.
The search giant is also expanding its real-time live translation feature in beta for Google Translate that works with any pair of headphones. The force behind it is Gemini"s natively supported live speech-to-speech translation capabilities for two-way conversation and continuous listening.
Gemini 2.5 Flash Native Audio can translate speech across different languages for two-way conversations while preserving each speaker"s tone, emphasis, and cadence, according to Google. You can hear the translated version of what is being said in real-time through your headphones.
You can use the feature when talking to someone who speaks a different language or watching a movie/TV show in another language. Go to the Translate app and tap on the "Live Translate" in the bottom left corner of the screen to get real-time translation in your language.
Google said it got positive feedback during early testing of the feature, which is now rolling out more broadly to Android users in beta in the US, Mexico, and India. The feature, available in 70 languages and 2000 language pairs, will be expanded to more countries and to iOS users next year.
Apart from that, the Translate app"s language learning feature is now expanding to 20 new countries, including Germany, Sweden, India, and Taiwan. You can track your progress and maintain consistency through the newly added streaks and practice in these new language pairs as well:
- English to German and Portuguese
- Bengali, Mandarin Chinese (Simplified), Dutch, German, Hindi, Italian, Romanian, and Swedish to English
The feature presents customized scenarios that reflect real-life situations to practice language skills and lets you create your own. It also comes with improved feedback to give helpful tips based on your speaking practice.