Google is extending its AI-based translation feature, "Live Translate", to iOS and significantly increasing the number of supported countries, TechCrunch reported on March 26 local time.

The feature provides real-time translation through earbuds. It was previously available only to Android device users in the United States, India and Mexico. The update expands support to Germany, Spain, France, Nigeria, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, Bangladesh and Thailand, in addition to the United States, India and Mexico.

The company said the feature, which uses Google Gemini AI, keeps a speaker's intonation and pace to deliver a natural flow of conversation. With earbuds connected, it can translate more than 70 languages in real time, helping users understand train announcements while travelling or talk with relatives who speak a foreign language.

Google also announced it is expanding its conversational search feature, "Search Live", globally. The feature supports real-time conversational search based on visual information using a smartphone camera, and had previously been available only in the United States and India. It can now be used in about 200 countries worldwide where AI mode is enabled.