Google Assistant now has a new interpreter mode that will roll out over the next few weeks on Google Home devices and Smart Displays that can translate conversations into twenty-seven languages in real-time. Simply say “Hey Google, be my French interpreter” to start Interpreter Mode and get real-time spoken and (on Smart Displays) written translation to aid the conversation. For those who happen to be at CES 2019, just head on over to the concierge desk in Caesars Palace to try it out yourself. Read more for another video and additional information.
The best thing about Interpreter Mode is that you don’t have to tell Google what language you’re speaking, as supported languages are automatically detected. There’s one caveat: two people cannot be speaking at the same time, so you’ll have to take turns getting translations.
“We tried out the interpreter mode during CES by speaking Mandarin. While it’s a pretty big improvement from not being able to understand a foreign language, there are still some kinks that need to be worked out. It’s a little unnatural in practice: you need to speak, wait for the translation to process, and repeat until your conversation is over,” according to The Verge.
