<p>Google DeepMind has unveiled a new AI system that could change how Deaf and hard-of-hearing people interact with their phones. SL2T, short for sign-language-to-text, can convert sign language into text and is coming first to Pixel 11. The model will power new features in Gboard and Live Transcribe, allowing users to sign in places where they would normally type. Google says the first supported language pair will be American Sign Language (ASL) to English, with more languages and devices planned.</p><p>The announcement is significant because Google is moving sign-language AI beyond a research demonstration and into a consumer product. Google DeepMind describes SL2T as a breakthrough model designed specifically for Deaf and hard-of-hearing users.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SL2T is our breakthrough sign language-to-text model powering new features for Deaf and hard of hearing users on <a href="https://x.com/Android?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Android</a>.<br><br>Starting with American Sign Language-to-English on Pixel 11, people can sign directly into Gboard and Live Transcribe instead of typing. <a href="https://t.co/p9Vx7tJtLT">pic.twitter.com/p9Vx7tJtLT</a></p>&mdash; Google DeepMind (@GoogleDeepMind) <a href="https://x.com/GoogleDeepMind/status/2087541213284946191?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>How Google's sign-language AI works</strong></h2><p>SL2T is designed to understand more than individual hand gestures. Sign language also relies on movement, facial expressions and other parts of the body, making it much harder for AI to interpret than a simple gesture-recognition system. The model can turn signing into text that users can then use for everyday tasks. That includes searching the web, writing messages or documents, and interacting with Gemini. In Live Transcribe, users can also sign responses during conversations rather than repeatedly typing them out. Google says the system was developed with input from members of the Deaf community, helping the technology address real-world signing rather than relying only on laboratory demonstrations.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Designed for real-world signing</strong></h2><p>One challenge is that people do not always sign in perfect conditions. A user may be holding a phone, change their position or sign with one hand.</p><p>Google's model has been designed to handle such situations, according to details shared around the launch. It also considers facial and body movements that carry meaning in sign language. The system's approach is particularly important because sign languages are full languages, not simply hand gestures translated word-for-word into English.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Pixel 11 is only the beginning</strong></h2><p>SL2T will initially support ASL-to-English on Pixel 11, but Google says the technology will expand to additional devices and languages.</p><p>That could eventually make sign-language input a more common part of Android, rather than a specialist accessibility feature. Google's broader AI strategy is increasingly focused on making models interact with the physical world and different forms of human communication. Its Gemini family already supports multimodal inputs such as text, images, video and audio. With SL2T, Google is adding another form of communication to that list giving users a way to communicate with a phone through sign language rather than speech or typing.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Google DeepMind has introduced SL2T, a sign-language-to-text AI model coming first to Pixel 11. It will let Deaf and hard-of-hearing users sign directly into Gboard and Live Transcribe for tasks such as searching, messaging and interacting with Gemini.


Google DeepMind has unveiled a new AI system that could change how Deaf and hard-of-hearing people interact with their phones. SL2T, short for sign-language-to-text, can convert sign language into text and is coming first to Pixel 11. The model will power new features in Gboard and Live Transcribe, allowing users to sign in places where they would normally type. Google says the first supported language pair will be American Sign Language (ASL) to English, with more languages and devices planned. The announcement is significant because Google is moving sign-language AI beyond a research demonstration and into a consumer product. Google DeepMind describes SL2T as a breakthrough model designed specifically for Deaf and hard-of-hearing users.

<p>Google DeepMind has introduced SL2T, a sign-language-to-text AI model coming first to Pixel 11. It will let Deaf and hard-of-hearing users sign directly into Gboard and Live Transcribe for tasks such as searching, messaging and interacting with Gemini.</p>

Google DeepMind unveils AI that can understand sign language

<p>Google has officially offered the first look at its upcoming Pixel 11 Pro, confirming the design of its next flagship smartphone weeks before launch. While the familiar horizontal camera bar remains, the biggest surprise is a new RGB lighting feature, dubbed 'Pixel Glow', positioned beside the camera module. The teaser also highlights Google's growing AI ecosystem, showing how the Pixel 11 Pro is designed to work closely with services such as Gmail, Google Maps, Search and Docs.</p>

<h2><strong>Pixel Glow is the biggest visual change</strong></h2><p>Although the overall design stays true to previous Pixel phones, the addition of an RGB light gives the Pixel 11 Pro a fresh identity. Google has not yet explained exactly how Pixel Glow will work, but the teaser suggests it could be used for notifications, AI interactions or camera-related features. The company continues to keep the iconic camera bar, reinforcing the Pixel's recognisable design language while introducing subtle refinements.</p><h2><strong>Tensor G6, better cameras and more storage expected</strong>&nbsp;</h2><p><br>Leaks suggest the Pixel 11 series will be powered by Google's new Tensor G6 processor, reportedly the company's first 2nm chip manufactured by TSMC. The Pixel 11 lineup is also expected to drop the 128GB storage option, making 256GB the standard across all models. Other rumoured upgrades include a MediaTek M90 modem, Titan M3 security chip and a new PowerVR GPU. Camera improvements are also expected, with the standard Pixel 11 tipped to feature a new 50MP main sensor, while the Pro models could receive upgraded primary and telephoto cameras.</p><h2><strong>Price increase confirmed</strong></h2><p>Google has already confirmed that the Pixel 11 series will cost more. Speaking to 9to5Google, Google's Vice President of Devices and Services, Shakil Barkat, said a global memory shortage and rising component costs have forced the company to adjust pricing. He said Google had absorbed higher costs for as long as possible but acknowledged that market conditions had changed. While exact prices remain under wraps, Google says customers can still expect trade-in offers, promotional discounts and bundled Google One subscriptions to make the devices more affordable. The Pixel 11 series is also expected to arrive in several new colours, with brighter finishes for the standard model and more understated options for the Pro variants.</p>

Google has revealed the Pixel 11 Pro's design ahead of launch, introducing a new RGB feature called Pixel Glow. The flagship is expected to feature the Tensor G6 chip, upgraded cameras, 256GB base storage and a confirmed price increase due to rising component costs.


Google has officially offered the first look at its upcoming Pixel 11 Pro, confirming the design of its next flagship smartphone weeks before launch. While the familiar horizontal camera bar remains, the biggest surprise is a new RGB lighting feature, dubbed 'Pixel Glow', positioned beside the camera module. The teaser also highlights Google's growing AI ecosystem, showing how the Pixel 11 Pro is designed to work closely with services such as Gmail, Google Maps, Search and Docs.

<p>Google has revealed the Pixel 11 Pro's design ahead of launch, introducing a new RGB feature called Pixel Glow. The flagship is expected to feature the Tensor G6 chip, upgraded cameras, 256GB base storage and a confirmed price increase due to rising component costs.</p>

Google reveals Pixel 11 Pro design ahead of launch as new ‘Pixel Glow’ feature steals the show

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Google DeepMind unveils AI that can understand sign language

Google teases next-generation Pixel 11 Pro with AI, RGB light and new colours