Customers across the EU will not be able to access the real-time translation feature of the new Apple AirPods Pro 3 due to regulatory concerns.
Politico reported the iPhone-maker is blocking access to live translation due to the European Commission’s findings in March under its Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The news website explained the March decision stated Apple is required to make some functions interoperable with competitors’ devices.
TechCrunch reported a response from Apple stating other legal requirements around user data protection were not a factor in its decision to block the translation feature.
Apple’s support page states live translation with AirPods “is not available if you are in the EU and your Apple account country or region is also in the EU”.
Real-time translation on the AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 requires an iPhone with Apple Intelligence running iOS 26, which is available on 15 September. The new AirPods 3 are scheduled to ship 19 September.
Last year Apple withheld the release of new features such as its Apple Intelligence generative AI tools across the EU due to regulatory concerns over the bloc’s DMA rules.
A representative for the European Commission told Mobile World Live the move “is a unilateral decision by Apple”.
“The Commission has not been consulted, and we are not able to understand the nature of Apple’s concerns. The DMA does not impede the launch of new products in EU markets. To the opposite, it preserves innovation and freedom of choice”.
Richard Windsor, founder of Radio Free Mobile, told Mobile World Live the translation service uses models on the iPhone to translate what the AirPods Pro 3 pick-up and relay it to the user “using voice while reducing the volume of the speaker’s voice to maximise clarity”.
“The AirPods Pro 3’s users’ replies can be displayed as text on iPhone screen, or if both are using AirPods Pro 3, then a true conversation can be had”, he explained.
Source: Mobile World Live
Image Credit: Apple