Samsung is making strides in the wearable technology sector with its upcoming smart glasses, a project that sees the tech giant teaming up with Google for software development and collaborating with renowned eyewear brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker for design aesthetics. Among the innovations in this venture, one application stands out as a potential game-changer: Google Translate.
Google Translate could be the killer app for Samsung’s smart glasses
Recent reports indicate that Google is enhancing Google Translate to optimize its functionality on smart glasses. The app’s Live Translate feature currently offers three audio playback options: Headphone, Mute, and Speaker. However, a new addition, labeled ‘Glasses,’ has been identified in version 9.26.46.833192481.11 of the Translate app. This feature is anticipated to facilitate language-translated audio playback directly on Android XR smart glasses.
Traditionally, the Live Translate feature requires active engagement with the app on a smartphone screen, ceasing to function when users navigate to other applications. Google is addressing this limitation by implementing improvements that will allow the feature to operate seamlessly in the background, utilizing persistent notifications to maintain its functionality.
These enhancements are poised to make Google Translate’s Live Translate feature particularly effective on smart glasses, positioning Google favorably for the anticipated launch of Android XR-based smart glasses. Samsung is expected to be among the first to introduce such innovative wearable technology.
According to reports, Samsung’s inaugural generation of smart glasses is slated for a 2026 release, although they will not feature an augmented reality (AR) display. The company’s subsequent generation, which is expected to include an AR display, may hit the market in 2027, setting the stage for competition with smart glasses from industry leaders like Apple and Meta.
