What you need to know
- T-Mobile stuck to its guns and finally launched its network-native AI Live Translation beta for customers.
- The feature runs natively through its 5G network, meaning all one needs to do is dial *87* on a call to initiate the real-time AI translator (no additional download required).
- T-Mobile says that because this AI runs natively on its network, it can work on “virtually any phone,” from smartphones to older flip phones.
T-Mobile teased and talked about the basics a few months ago, and now it’s ready for a full “native” live translation beta.
In February, T-Mobile talked about how it wanted to move into “native” AI experiences to help people use its service. Today (May 21) T-Mobile sent out a press release highlighting the Live Translation beta. Its technology president and CTO, John Saw, says the test will serve as an “early example of network-native AI.” With its 5G network, T-Mobile is relying on the telco’s edge and its distributed cloud infrastructure to implement AI processes across its cell network.
A blog post Elaborating more, it says the Live Translation beta has officially “come into the networks our customers use every day, so conversations can truly flow without any language barriers.”
This AI translator is “contextually aware” and works in real time to translate what callers are saying. T-Mobile ensures its users that all call translation is handled on its network, without the need to download any additional apps or software. To use it, you must be a T-Mobile customer and dial *87* during a call. The post says its AI Live Translation supports “over 80 languages (and counting).” However, to use this feature a person only needs to be on T-Mobile’s network and dial *87*.
Another statement said, “All of this works on virtually any phone that connects to our network, from the latest smartphones to classic flip phones.”
this is just the beginning
T-Mobile is teasing its network-based AI, with the beta of Live Translation arriving today. It says that, for the longest time, cell networks “have been defined by how fast and how far they can go.” In this new era, T-Mobile hopes to shift toward an “intelligent network” with network-native AI. Live translation capabilities will expand throughout the year. T-Mobile says consumer feedback will be invaluable as it looks to expand the feature for callers.
Android Central’s Tech
The feature seemed good back in February when T-Mobile first discussed it. Now that it’s actually out to customers, hopefully it works as good as they say. This is an opt-in feature, so if you can understand what your family member is saying, you don’t need to turn it on. But it’s somewhat convenient, and feels like the next (useful) step up from what we have on our phones. If I can open this app and understand what you’re saying, shouldn’t the cell network have the same utility if I want it?
