Millions of Internet users use Google Translate as their daily driver for translations. Google has integrated the service into its Chrome browser and it is also available as an application for Android.
Soon, Google may introduce new AI functionality in Google Translate. Here is what you need to know about that.
The details:
- The new functionality was discovered during a code analysis of the Android Google Translate APK by Android Authority.
- It is not available yet.
Good to known: Google Translate is a cloud-based service. Means, you need an active Internet connection to use the service. This means as well that Google is informed about your translations. If you want a privacy-friendly option, check out the Firefox Translate feature instead, as it runs locally.
Main AI feature: Ask a follow-up question
At the center of the new AI functionality is the ask a follow-up option. This enables users to interact with AI to use a range of different options.
These include the following:
- Get information about the translation. Google Translate informs you about translation nuances for instance, according to Android Authority.
- Ability to get the translation modified, e.g., to take regional variations into account or changing the tone or style.
- Listen to the translated text with a click on the sound icon.
- Ability to provide feedback using thumbs-up and thumbs-down icons.
- Additional insights, e.g., cultural notes or grammar explanations.
Some of these features could be interesting to some users, provided that features like support for regional variants truly work. With AI, it could be difficult to tell whether there is an error in the regional variant or not.
Android Authority found the functionality in Google Translate 9.3.78.731229477.7 for Android. While included, it appears that it has not started to roll out yet or only to some users.
Closing Words
Some users of Google Translate will certainly like the new functionality. The ability to ask follow-up questions could give users a better understanding of the translation, especially if some things are unclear.
Google has not announced the new feature yet officially.
I hate talking to computers even more then I hate talking to other humans.
Quoting the article,
“This means as well that Google is informed about your translations. If you want a privacy-friendly option, check out the Firefox Translate feature instead, as it runs locally.”
One may also use a Google Translate front-end, such as a ‘SimplyTranslate’ instance, i.e. :
https://simplytranslate.leemoon.network/ (server in NL)
https://st.privacydev.net/ (Server in FR)
https://st.tokhmi.xyz/ (server in US)
Independently of Google Translate, DeepL of course but also ‘Kagi Translate’ at https://translate.kagi.com/
For translating Web pages in-content, a Firefox extension such as ‘TWP – Translate Web Pages’ works nicely, yet does call (only) translate.googleapis.com
Front-ends or independent translators (online or offline) but never a direct Google Translation connection as far as I’m concerned.