I use my Pixel Buds Pro for this unexpected task — and it’s not music

You reach for the essentials when you’re getting ready for a trip. Passport, a reliable power bank, and maybe your Google Pixel Buds Pro. They’re perfect for music on long flights or drowning out the noise during a crowded commute.

However, could they do more than that? This piece explores how your Pixel Buds Pro can become a smart travel assistant.

Your earbuds can double as a live translator

Pixel Buds Pro can double as a travel interpreter. Tap the earbud and ask Google Translate to “help me speak Japanese,” and it will translate and speak the phrase aloud.

What could’ve been an awkward language barrier becomes a smooth exchange.

With support for 40 languages, the Pixel Buds Pro help you connect wherever you go. Here is the list of supported languages according to Google.

To use Pixel Buds Pro with Google Translate, ensure they are connected to your phone and that you’re using a Google Assistant-supported Android device that meets all the requirements.

You’ll also need the latest versions of both the Google app and the Google Translate app installed, along with an active internet connection.

This is how Pixel Buds Pro and your phone handle translation

The setup is a tag-team setup between the phone and the earbuds — one for output, the other for input.

In the Google Translate app, select your language and the language you want to translate. Then, hold one of your earbuds and speak your message.

When you release it, your phone translates and speaks your words through its speaker. The other person hears your translation from the phone.

When it’s their turn, they tap the microphone icon on your phone, speak in their language, and you hear the translated reply through your earbuds.

There’s also an Automatic Conversation mode to make things easier. Instead of tapping for each turn, toggle auto-detect, and the Google Translate app will listen continuously and switch between languages on its own.

There’s also a Transcribe Mode that is useful for one-on-one conversations.

Your Pixel Buds provide continuous translation, speaking the translated language into your ear while displaying a transcript on your phone. They support translations from English to French, German, Italian, or Spanish.

Google recommends using the transcribe feature in a quiet environment with one person speaking at a time for the best accuracy.

I like how the Google ecosystem takes the pressure off your trip

Google’s ecosystem takes care of the little things that can pile up while traveling. At the center are the Pixel Buds Pro.

Need directions to a train station? Just ask. Ordering food works much the same way.

Short phrases are translated with impressive speed and minimal lag, making spontaneous interactions far less intimidating.

For signs or menus, pulling out your phone and using Google Lens allows you to scan and instantly display translated text on the screen.

You can also use Gemini to build an itinerary or keep your boarding pass and passport secure in Google Wallet.

The entire ecosystem is built to reduce friction, so you can focus more on the journey and less on logistics.

Translation isn’t perfect in every situation

Accuracy isn’t always perfect, especially with idioms, slang, or if the language settings aren’t set up correctly. There’s also a bit of lag to keep in mind.

Simple phrases usually translate quickly, but longer sentences or strong accents can slow things down. The Buds have to pick up your speech, send it to Google’s servers, process the translation, and then play it back.

Pause after speaking and keep things to one sentence at a time. That way, translations are more likely to come through clearly.

The environment also makes a big difference. Background noise can cause problems. If you’re in a noisy area, stepping aside and asking the other person to speak slowly can improve the interaction.

Google recommends keeping your phone close to the person speaking. If someone talks too quietly or isn’t facing the phone, the microphone might not pick up their words accurately.

Internet connection is another thing to watch. Since translations rely on cloud processing, losing signal can cause the feature to stop working.

It’s clear that earbuds are evolving beyond music

While it doesn’t replace genuine language fluency, Pixel Buds Pro and Pro 2 make traveling more accessible. It’s a powerful way AI can help simplify real-world challenges, especially when you’re outside your comfort zone.

With features like real-time translation and Transcribe Mode, it’s clear that earbuds are evolving far beyond music playback. Good audio is expected. What matters more now are the features that help you get things done.