Google Translate adds background and earpiece features
Google is updating its Translate app, introducing background translation for Android, which lets users keep live translations running while multitasking or with the phone locked. iOS is gaining support for hearing live translations through the phone's earpiece, a feature already available to Android users. These updates aim to make the app more useful in real-world settings, especially during longer translation sessions.
- Android users get background live translation support
- iOS users can hear translations through the phone's earpiece
- Background feature addresses longer translation needs
- iOS update was previously Android-only
- Live translate covers over 70 languages
Sources covering this
In this story
More in Big Tech
Nvidia agrees to acquire Hugging Face for $12.9 billion
Nvidia has agreed to acquire AI platform Hugging Face for $12.9 billion, marking one of its largest deals to date. Hugging Face is a widely used online repository for open-source AI models and tools, serving over 18 million developers and more than 200,000 companies. Both firms stated the platform will remain open, and users will not be required to use Nvidia’s hardware or services. The deal follows significant recent security incidents involving AI models on Hugging Face.
Xbox Game Pass to limit monthly cloud gaming hours
Starting November 2026, Xbox Game Pass subscribers will face hard monthly limits on cloud gaming—15 hours for Ultimate, 10 for Premium, and 5 for Essential plans. If you hit that ceiling, you’ll need to buy extra hours through the Xbox Store. Microsoft says this change, citing server cost pressures, only affects about 4% of subscribers, but it marks the end of unlimited cloud play.
US opens investigation after Tesla Cybercab launch
Tesla has begun operating its new Cybercab robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, offering rides in vehicles with no steering wheel or pedals. Within hours of the launch, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started an investigation into whether these vehicles comply with federal safety regulations. Tesla reportedly self-certified the Cybercab. There are currently 45 vehicles in the Texas fleet, with plans for significant expansion.
Honda Prologue EV Outsells Chevy Blazer EV With CarPlay
Honda's Prologue electric SUV, nearly identical to the Chevy Blazer EV except for one thing, now outsells its Chevy counterpart by 166%. The key difference: the Honda version keeps Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone mirroring, while recent Chevys dropped them in favor of Google's in-car system. Both cars share parts and performance—buyers just favor the one that still plays nice with their phone.