We are a week removed from the Google Pixel 2 debut and new information is still trickling out. Although Google touted their new devices, like the Pixel Buds, they didn’t talk about backwards compatibility. Original Pixel owners, myself included, are worried we’ll miss out on a lot of the Pixel 2 features.
A few days ago we posted that the Pixel and Pixel XL will receive the new Pixel Launcher. Today we have found out that the original Pixel devices will support live translation with the Pixel Buds. In what was arguably the most compelling portion of the event, the Google Pixel Buds can perform real-time translation. In case you missed it, the full clip can be seen below.
Using Google Translate, a person can use their phone to capture a language they do not know. The phone will then translate it, play it back in the Pixel Buds for the user. Then, the user can speak their language into the Pixel Buds, which will then translate it and play it back to the other person through the phone’s speakers.
After reading the Google Support forums, real-time translation will be a Pixel exclusive feature. That means the original Pixel and Pixel XL will be able to utilize this awesome feature. Before, it was unknown if this would only work on the new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.
Does that make you more enticed to buy the Pixel Buds? As a refresher, they cost $159 and come in three colors: Just Black, Kinda Blue, and Clearly White. Unfortunately if you’re looking to pick up a pair, they are currently all out of stock. You can join the wait list here.