Google Translate Finally Refreshes Its Interface to Material You

While Google slowly transforms nearly all of its projects, the good old Google Translate remains good but too old. The interface hasn’t undergone significant changes since 2014 when it was introduced under the Material Design paradigm. While the Material You version only existed for Pixel phones for some time, now it may make its way to most Android devices.

At least, some phones and tablets have already received an updated Google Translate that looks completely different now. Instead of two old-style windows resembling those from the web page, now the app features one single window for text input, with the language pair displayed below. It seems that the update involves both the server and the client parts, as the app does not appear to look new before you restart and reconnect it.

As you enter the original text, the translation appears below it, under a thin blue line, in real-time. When you finish entering the phrase, Google Translate also shows some suggestions based on your original input. It may add some more words to it or suggest some construction that includes your request. Like in the previous version, you can reverse the translation by tapping just one button between the languages.

The app also supports handwriting; to handwrite the text, tap the icon in the upper row. As you choose the languages, you can download a language pack, so the app can operate offline. The greatest thing about the update, though, is that you don’t need the freshest smartphone running Android 12 to use it. The new version has been spotted on devices running Android 11, manufactured in 2020 and earlier.

Is your instance of Google Translate updated already? Do you like the new look? Was it easy for you to get used to it? And did it impact the quality of translation? We’ll be glad to read your impressions in the comments!