Google Says New Eyeglasses Can Translate Languages in Real Time
2022-05-16
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1Ten years after introducing "Google Glass," Alphabet Inc. has created a new kind of smart eyeglasses.
2The company says the wearable computer device can translate different languages in real time.
3A working model, or prototype, of the yet-unnamed device was presented to the public this week during the yearly Google I/O developer conference.
4Google did not say when the glasses might go on sale to the public.
5The first Google Glass device included a wearable camera that could film what the wearers saw.
6That caused widespread privacy concerns.
7The camera element also gave Google Glass a kind of science-fiction look.
8The latest device looks more similar to traditional glasses.
9A brief demonstration of the new eyeglasses described its translation ability, but did not provide additional details.
10The company also did not say whether the new device would be equipped with a camera.
11A demonstration explained that a person wearing the glasses who talks with someone who speaks a different language can see the spoken words in their own language.
12The description showed translations involving English, Mandarin, Spanish and American Sign Language.
13The new device was one of several products shared at the conference that are currently in development.
14The company said the products aim to better connect Google services with activities happening in the real world.
15This includes company offerings for searching and viewing maps, as well as other services using the latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI).
16Eddie Chung, a director of product management at Google, spoke to developers about the new eyeglasses.
17"What we're working on is technology that enables us to break down language barriers, taking years of research in Google Translate and bringing that to glasses," he said.
18Chung said he thinks the product can provide "subtitles for the world."
19Google also announced that a new tablet, or small hand-held computer, would be released in 2023.
20It is called Pixel Tablet.
21And a new version of its Pixel Watch will go on sale later this year.
22Selling more hardware like these devices could help Google expand profits beyond its advertising-based businesses.
23Alphabet's worldwide market share in smartphones is small, under one percent, technology researcher IDC estimates.
24Currently, legal problems related to Google's dominance in mobile phone software and other areas threaten to limit the company's ability to make progress with new products.
25Google also presented some new software features to help with shopping.
26One lets users take video of items in a store and then ask the search app to identify those from Black-owned businesses.
27Another accepts a photo of a product and shows nearby stores where it is available.
28Also later this year, Google Maps will begin showing a new view for some big cities that mixes its Street View and aerial images.
29The feature is designed "to create a rich, digital model of the world," Google said.
30I'm Jill Robbins.
1Ten years after introducing "Google Glass," Alphabet Inc. has created a new kind of smart eyeglasses. The company says the wearable computer device can translate different languages in real time. 2A working model, or prototype, of the yet-unnamed device was presented to the public this week during the yearly Google I/O developer conference. Google did not say when the glasses might go on sale to the public. 3The first Google Glass device included a wearable camera that could film what the wearers saw. That caused widespread privacy concerns. The camera element also gave Google Glass a kind of science-fiction look. The latest device looks more similar to traditional glasses. 4A brief demonstration of the new eyeglasses described its translation ability, but did not provide additional details. The company also did not say whether the new device would be equipped with a camera. 5A demonstration explained that a person wearing the glasses who talks with someone who speaks a different language can see the spoken words in their own language. The description showed translations involving English, Mandarin, Spanish and American Sign Language. 6The new device was one of several products shared at the conference that are currently in development. The company said the products aim to better connect Google services with activities happening in the real world. This includes company offerings for searching and viewing maps, as well as other services using the latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI). 7Eddie Chung, a director of product management at Google, spoke to developers about the new eyeglasses. "What we're working on is technology that enables us to break down language barriers, taking years of research in Google Translate and bringing that to glasses," he said. Chung said he thinks the product can provide "subtitles for the world." 8Other new products 9Google also announced that a new tablet, or small hand-held computer, would be released in 2023. It is called Pixel Tablet. And a new version of its Pixel Watch will go on sale later this year. Selling more hardware like these devices could help Google expand profits beyond its advertising-based businesses. 10Alphabet's worldwide market share in smartphones is small, under one percent, technology researcher IDC estimates. Currently, legal problems related to Google's dominance in mobile phone software and other areas threaten to limit the company's ability to make progress with new products. 11Google also presented some new software features to help with shopping. One lets users take video of items in a store and then ask the search app to identify those from Black-owned businesses. Another accepts a photo of a product and shows nearby stores where it is available. 12Also later this year, Google Maps will begin showing a new view for some big cities that mixes its Street View and aerial images. The feature is designed "to create a rich, digital model of the world," Google said. 13I'm Jill Robbins. 14Paresh Dave and Yuvraj Malik reported on this story for Reuters. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. 15_________________________________________________________________ 16Words in This Story 17translation - n. a piece of writing or speech that has been put into a different language 18artificial intelligence (AI) - n. the development of computer systems with the ability to perform work that normally requires human intelligence 19subtitles - n. the words printed over a film in a foreign language to translate what is being said by the actors 20dominance - n. the fact of being more powerful, more important, or more noticeable than other people or things 21feature - n. a quality or important part of something 22aerial - adj. supplied or performed by means of aircraft 23What do you think of the new smart glasses? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.