Check If You Have Access to Google's New Gemini-Powered ‘Advanced’ Translations
More accurate translations seem to be making their way to Google Translate, as first spotted by 9to5Google. While Lifehacker has not been able to confirm this independently, the publication says some of its iOS devices now show an option to pick an "Advanced" translation model in the Google Translate app.
The new model shows up as an option in a model picker at the top of the page, similar to the Gemini app, and advertises "High accuracy for complex translations." Engadget was also able to get the model picker to appear, where the Advanced model said it "specializes in accuracy using Gemini."
Those wishing to use the old translation tools can instead continue to use the "Fast" model.
Alongside the introduction of an AI-learning tool competing with Duolingo back in August, the new model further cements Google Translate as an AI-powered app, with the idea being that incorporating the LLM will allow for translations of longer, more context-sensitive work.
Advanced translations, limited language support
For now, , the Advanced translation model does come with a few limitations. First, it only supports text translation, so no holding your phone out to a native speaker and recording what they say. Second, it only supports "select languages."
While 9to5Google does not clarify which languages the Advanced Model works with, Engadget's report says that it currently only works between English and French, or English and Spanish. The publication also tested an excerpt from a French play with the new model, saying that while the Fast model gave a more literal word-for-word translation, the Advanced model was more accurate, taking into account the passage's nuance and better translating an idiom that the old tools missed.
While the Advanced model is a more explicit AI addition, it is not the first time the Google Translate app has used AI to translate text. In August, Google said it had already started using "Gemini models in Translate," and the company has been experimenting with its implementation since 2016, saying that AI translation "reduced translation errors by an average of 60%." Still, it marks more choice for those with access to it, and a greater commitment to bring new AI tools to the app.
The update is still rolling out
Unfortunately, it seems like it'll take some time to roll out fully, as I currently don't see it on any of my devices. I've contacted Google for an update on when the Advanced model is likely to reach all users.