Google Assistant now offers the ability to translate conversations in real time. What’s next?

Google is no stranger to futurist initiatives. They have been consistently leading the way when it comes to artificial intelligence and virtual assistant technology. Recently, Google announced that Google Assistant will offer real-time translation capabilities for 27 languages. That on its own is pretty impressive. But when you think about what the applications are for this kind of development, it can lead to a major boost in Google’s Android platform edge over the competition.

Real-Time Translation

According to The Verge, “You’ll be able to say things like, ‘Hey, Google, help me speak French,’ or ‘Hey, Google, be my French interpreter,’ and Google Assistant will show text across a smart display that translates your words as you speak. Afterward, it will open the microphone for the second person to be able to speak in their language and words will be translated across the screen at the same time. Google Assistant also plays back the words in your native tongue.”

This is a big step towards real-time translation in speech, and that is where Android has the potential to further its position as the top mobile software platform in the marketplace today.

Real-Time Conversation Translation

Once Google opens up calls through Assistant with the ability to implement translation, users on both ends of the call will be able to have a full conversation in their native tongues while hearing responses in their preferred language. Skype unveiled a similar function, but if Google does it right, they will blow Microsoft’s attempts at this kind of translation out of the water – easily.

When this will come – and it is almost certain to happen – is still a mystery. But if some traction picks up with the use of these translation services, we can expect to see this new service offered sooner rather than later. The world is getting smaller and Google wants to be at the forefront of that process.