Apple’s new feature that lets AirPods act as language translators isn’t available for EU residents while they’re in Europe. What makes the restriction odd is that the feature can be used by EU residents outside of the European Union.
And Live Translation with AirPods can be used by those traveling to the European Union from the United States, the United Kingdom, etc.
EU residents won’t get much use from Live Translation with AirPods
Live Translation with AirPods is a signature feature of the new AirPods Pro 3, but is also available for some earlier models. It enables the user to hear a real-time translation of spoken communication.
Many of the languages supported by the feature at launch originated in European countries, but many Europeans won’t get to take advantage of it.
A note on Apple’s website says, “Live Translation with AirPods is not available if you are in the EU and your Apple Account Country or Region is also in the EU.”
So an EU resident cannot use this feature while in Europe, but can use it while traveling to another part of the world.
And travelers from non-EU countries can use AirPods Live Translation while in Europe — or anywhere they go.
Blame the Digital Markets Act?
Apple did not explain why Live Translation with AirPods comes with the location-based limitation for EU residents. But in the past, Cupertino said the EU’s Digital Markets Act caused “regulatory uncertainties” about some of the company’s AI features. It’s possible that’s the case this time.
That said, Live Translations in Messages and FaceTime are available to all EU residents wherever they are, so the situation with AirPods live translations isn’t simple and clear-cut. Obviously.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
