Apple to Launch Live Translation Feature in EU Following Regulatory Adjustments
Apple is preparing to release its live translation feature in the European Union, having addressed concerns related to the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The rollout will begin with access for software developers, followed by a public beta release.
Originally unveiled in June and launched in the US in September, the feature’s EU debut was delayed due to interoperability requirements outlined in the DMA. These regulations mandate that core technical capabilities must be accessible to competing providers. While the software already supported languages like German and French, it remained unavailable to EU users.
The live translation functionality works in conjunction with recent iPhone models and Apple’s AirPods earbuds. It allows users to see translated captions of conversations spoken to a connected iPhone, and enables two individuals wearing AirPods to converse in their native languages with real-time translation.
A key point of contention centered on the audio signal routing between the iPhone and AirPods. The system requires simultaneous access to both devices’ microphones and speakers – a technical solution Apple is now obligated to share with competitors under the DMA. Apple states that implementing a data privacy-conscious version of this access took several months. This means othre headphone manufacturers will gain the ability to access iPhone microphones and speakers in a similar fashion.
Apple notes that the implementation of further features may be delayed and continues to express concerns that the EU Commission’s interpretation of the DMA rules could perhaps compromise user security and stifle innovation.
Currently, the translation feature requires users to manually select languages within Apple’s translation app; it does not automatically detect them. Importantly, translations are processed directly on the iPhone, without relying on cloud-based computing power.
(source: dpa)
