Google Translate may add Live Translate auto-save on phones while disabling transcripts on smart glasses

Google may be testing a new way to save Live Translate conversations on phones while turning that option off when the feature is used through smart glasses.

Android Authority reports that in Google Translate version 10.37.74.985146169, a work-in-progress Live Translate interface includes an “Auto-save transcript” toggle that would automatically save a conversation transcript when a session ends (Android Authority). The same report says Google also appears to be simplifying how Live Translate settings are accessed, with the preferences button opening the settings sheet more directly.

Different rules for phones and glasses

The unreleased code appears to treat transcript saving differently on connected smart glasses. Android Authority reports that code strings in the app indicate transcript saving would be disabled while glasses are being used, with privacy-focused language explaining that saving transcripts is turned off when using glasses (Android Authority).

The report also points to possible controls for using Live Translate on glasses. Android Authority says users may be able to start a translation session with a voice command, including an example prompt to begin translating French, and end the session by swiping backward on the frame’s touchpad (Android Authority).

Still unreleased

None of this has been announced by Google, and the details come from an APK teardown rather than a public product rollout. Android Authority notes that the findings were uncovered in version 10.37.74.985146169 of Google Translate and that features found in work-in-progress code do not always make it to release (Android Authority).