Google has saved many expats living in Spain the trouble of learning Spanish

You feel left out if everyone speaks Spanish around you. Are you able to express yourself effectively in another language with your friends? Google Translate is getting a major update powered by Gemini AI models. It will make the translations more natural, and add a beta function for real-time translation through headphones. This is great news for expats in Spain who are struggling with the language.

This update greatly improves the text translations because it better understands context (where are you, what is the situation, is it official or social? Formal, with a child, or a policeman, etc.), idioms and slang. Gemini promises to produce more natural, accurate results than the current system.

As an example, “stealing my Thunder” is translated in a way that conveys its true meaning instead of a confusing translation. Not to mention the Spanish phrase expressing frustration about doing something disgusting in the sea – it’s not meant literally!

This new smarter translation is now available. Google Translate app Google Search, the Android and iOS versions and the web version. The app offers translations from English to nearly 20 different languages including Spanish, Hindi and Chinese.

Real-time voice translation in Android headphones (Beta)

A new beta feature for live speech to speech translation is the most useful. Connect any Bluetooth or wired headphones to your Android phone. Open the Translate application and select “Live Translate”. Listen to real-time translations through your headphones. They will preserve the speaker’s accent, cadence and tone for a more natural and accurate translation. The standard translation app does not take into account these factors, and the real meaning of a sentence is often lost.

It is available in two-way or listening modes (e.g. one-sided or speeches). The beta version of the experimental app is available for Android users in the US, Mexico and India. A version for Apple devices, including an iOS version, will be launched in 2026.

It is the first time that context has been translated automatically.

Gemini AI is not yet able to accurately translate conversations. As an example, in a casual conversation, one friend might say, “Oh look at the clock!” It is possible that a casual conversation between friends with the words “My wife’s going to kill me when i get home” could lead you home and find a policeman waiting outside.