US – Google has launched a pair of earbuds capable of translating 40 languages in real time. Users of the Google Pixel Buds touch the right earbud while speaking to translate the phrase into their chosen language, which they can then repeat out loud. Users can then pass their phone to the person they are talking to and receive an audio translation as they speak.
Although not the first such device of its kind – Waverly Labs announced it was launching a similar instant translation earpiece earlier this year – Google’s Pixel Buds will be sold at the much lower price of £121 ($159, €135), compared with £189 ($249, €212) for Waverley Labs’ Pilot, and the scale of Google is likely to ensure much greater adoption.
As New Bricolage Living becomes increasingly pervasive, brands are exploring new ways to facilitate communication between cosmopolitan consumers.