Apple is working on an in-person live translation option for AirPods that should arrive via an update to iOS 26 later this or next year.

Apple didn't announce AirPods live translation and captive Wi-Fi syncing, but these iOS 26 features should arrive in the coming months.

Apple Intelligence has been found to provide transcription of audio at double the speed of Whisper, the equivalent technology from OpenAI.

Apple's iOS 26 software could enhance the iPhone's built-in Messages app with new capabilities, including polls and automatic translation.