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Apple Switches On AirPods Live Translation in EU After DMA Delay, Public Beta Due in December

Translations are handled on the paired iPhone using Apple Intelligence, keeping conversations on‑device and available offline with downloaded language packs.

Overview

  • Developers in the EU, including Italy, can test Live Translation now via the Apple Developer Program, with a wider public beta scheduled for December.
  • Apple says the rollout was postponed while it addressed interoperability obligations under the Digital Markets Act, which it now considers resolved.
  • AirPods capture speech and send audio to the iPhone for real‑time translation by Apple Intelligence, and once language packs are installed the feature works without an internet connection.
  • At launch the feature supports AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with noise cancellation and requires iPhones compatible with Apple Intelligence.
  • Initial languages include Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Korean and Chinese (simplified and traditional), and adaptive audio lowers the original speaker’s voice during playback; Apple plans to add more languages.