Apple revealed a language translation feature for the upcoming AirPods 3 Pro earbuds at today's iPhone event. Here's some good news for those who don't want to shell out $249 for some new and shiny in-ear headphones. The tool is also coming to the AirPods 4 with ANC and AirPods Pro 2 models. This requires the latest firmware and an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone running iOS 26 and later.
For the uninitiated, Live Translation is exactly what it sounds like. The software translates languages in real-time while wearing the earbuds. This allows for something resembling natural conversation when interacting with a person who speaks another language.
This feature will be available in English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish at launch, with more languages coming by the end of the year. These include Italian, Japanese, Korean and simplified Chinese.
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As for the AirPods Pro 3 earbuds, they cost $249 and are available to preorder right now. These new earbuds include a heart rate monitor, improved ANC, better battery life and the ability to play spatial audio.
Apple's "Awe dropping" event is happening now. The company has announced the iPhone 17, iPhone Air and AirPods Pro 3 (with live translation and a heart rate sensor). Additionally, the Apple Watch Series 11, the Apple Watch SE 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 are all now official, too. Still to come, we expect Apple to unveil the new iPhone 17 Pro models as well as a final release date for iOS 26. Stay with Engadget for live coverage of the iPhone 17 launch. You can watch the Apple iPhone 17 event live on YouTube, too.