Skip to main content

Google is bringing some Translate features into Google Maps

When you’re traveling in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, getting directions to where you’re going can be a bit complicated.

Google Translate can be super-useful when it comes to having that conversation, but if you already have Google Maps open, that means you need to toggle back and forth between the two apps to successfully communicate with that guy on the street and view the map at the same time.

Starting today, Google is rolling out a feature to Google Maps that should make that whole process a bit easier.

Google is bringing Google Maps and Google Translate a little closer together by bringing part of Translate into Google Maps. Now, when you’re looking for a landmark or even your hotel, you can tap on a button within Google Maps to have the name of your destination and the address read out in the local language.

The pronunciation option will appear in the form of a small speaker icon beside the name and address of your destination.

If you need a little more help after getting that pronunciation out, you can then link directly to Translate from within Google Maps to talk to your taxi driver or the good Samaritan that’s helping you with directions.

The feature will appear whenever Google Maps detects you’re in a country where the native language isn’t the same language you have your phone set to. For instance, if your phone is set to English and you’re in Germany, the  feature will appear in maps to help you navigate around. It starts rolling out today and will slowly become available to users over the next month in over 50 languages, with more on the way.

Google has added a number of new features to Google Maps over the past few months. In August, the company launched AR walking directions, which overlays an arrow on street view maps to help ensure you pick the right street when you’re walking around a new area. Earlier this month, it also started rolling out an incognito mode for Android users that will prevent Maps from storing information about where you’re going

Editors' Recommendations

Emily Price
Emily is a freelance writer based in San Francisco. Her book "Productivity Hacks: 500+ Easy Ways to Accomplish More at…
Should you buy the Google Pixel 7 or wait for the Google Pixel 8?
The Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7a on a table.

Google will soon launch the new Google Pixel 8 smartphone lineup. Although the Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro are some of the best Android phones, it's now nearly one year since their release. These phones have impressive features like top-tier camera systems, gorgeous displays, and striking designs. However, the Pixel 7 has slow charging and poor gaming performance, while the Pixel 7 Pro has mediocre battery life and a substandard fingerprint sensor, among other negatives.

It's time to answer the question: Should you consider the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, or even the lower-cost Google Pixel 7a if you're in the market for a new smartphone, or should you wait until the new models arrive? The answer largely depends on your willingness to wait. Regardless, we are here to help you make an informed decision by giving you everything you need to know about the differences between the Pixel 7 family and the upcoming Pixel 8 models.
Google Pixel 7 vs. Google Pixel 8
Google Pixel 7 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Read more
Google Pixel Watch 2: rumored price, release date, news, and more
Google Pixel Watch with two different strap styles.

Google is a brand that we all know and either love or hate. Aside from being the company behind many web services, Google has done quite well with its Pixel smartphones — the latest being the Google Pixel 7 family. In 2022, Google also released its first smartwatch, the Google Pixel Watch, though it received mixed reviews overall.

We're expecting Google to release a follow-up to the Pixel Watch sometime this year in the form of the Pixel Watch 2, and hopefully, it will improve upon what was already established with the original.

Read more
Pokémon Sleep is here and it features some surprising microtransactions
An illustration of a Snorlax and other Pokémon napping from the Pokémon Sleep trailer.

Pokémon Sleep is now available in the United States for both iOS and Android devices. While the sleep tracking app is free to download, it has some surprising monetization built into it thanks to a paid monthly plan and microtransactions.

First revealed in 2019, Pokémon Sleep is a cross between a sleep-tracking app and an idle game. When users leave their phone on their bed at night, it'll record their sleep quality and habits by sensing vibrations and using their phone's microphone. When they wake up, they'll help a professor "research" Pokémon that have gathered around a sleeping Snorlax overnight. It's a cute way to gamify a sleep-tracking app, adding a "catch 'em all" element to the mix.

Read more