Online translation tools have come on leaps and bounds since Google Translate debuted back in 2006.
The device runs Google's Gemma 4 E2B, Google's most lightweight and compact large language model.
Keeping voice data offline might help avoid these issues.
Apple's Translate app allows for offline translation, but you'll need to enable it manually by heading to the Settings tab and downloading the appropriate language pack.
The caveat is that Apple warns offline translation may be prone to inaccuracies.
Online translation tools have come on leaps and bounds since Google Translate debuted back in 2006. And in recent years, AI models have finally made real-time voice-based translation accurate and smooth. But internet access is never guaranteed, particularly when traveling in foreign lands.
Now, Google is test-driving a tool that will allow real-time voice translation without having Wi-Fi or cellular access. The Gemma Translator is effectively just a Raspberry Pi 5, hooked up to a portable mic and speaker. The device runs Google's Gemma 4 E2B, Google's most lightweight and compact large language model. It also features a small touch screen display to display the text being translated, a small knob to cycle through languages, and a push-to-talk button to let the device know when you're speaking.
The internet isn't everywhere, you know
Besides the obvious benefit that you can't rely on connectivity everywhere you go, devices like this could also avoid issues around privacy and data retention. Many companies and regions have strict rules on storing confidential data, uploading to the cloud, or feeding it into AI models. Keeping voice data offline might help avoid these issues.
According to Google's announcement, you can select the language you want via the knob, press the button, and the device does the rest. The chassis, which has a distinct vintage look, was entirely 3D printed. Google developers used Antigravity, Google's AI-assisted development environment.
You can't buy one — but you can make your own
DIY offline translation for the masses... built with Antigravity
Unfortunately, Google hasn't given any indication that it plans to roll it out as a commercial product. But if you're keen, Google has provided the tools to make your own, using a portable PC like a Raspberry Pi. All the files are open-source and available on GitHub, including the STL files you'll need to 3D print the parts.
Some companies already offer real-time, hardware-based translation tools that work offline, including the Timekettle Fluentalk T1 Pocket Translator, but the key difference is that Google’s is open-source and uses cheap, common hardware. This opens the door to creators and start-ups who want to try their hand at making these types of tools.
If you think that offline translation could come in handy, but don't want to build or buy your own device, there are also free options available if you don't want to pay for a separate tool.
Apple's Translate app allows for offline translation, but you'll need to enable it manually by heading to the Settings tab and downloading the appropriate language pack. The caveat is that Apple warns offline translation may be prone to inaccuracies. Google Translate also provides offline translation if you enable it and download the right packs, but it doesn't support audio at the time of writing; just text and images.
