New Google Pixel 6 Ad Stars Canadian Actor Simu Liu, Highlights ‘Live Translate’ Feature: VIDEO

Canadian actor Simu Liu stars in Google Canada’s new Pixel 6 national advertising spot delivered to English-speaking markets entirely in Mandarin.

Announced in a press release, the ad begins Google’s national campaign for its Pixel 6 smartphone, released in October of last year.

The actor, most recently known for his role as the titular character in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, shared the spot on his Instagram page.

 

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A post shared by Simu Liu (刘思慕) (@simuliu)

Emphasizing ways that technology can help overcome language barriers and allow people to “connect with the world around them in new and meaningful ways,” the spot highlights one of the Pixel 6’s most useful features, Live Translate.

“In my conversations with the Google team, they really encouraged me to spearhead the creative thinking and direction in how we would introduce the Pixel 6 to Canadians,” Liu says. “I was able to involve my parents in the commercial to highlight the Live Translate function, which allows you to translate between over 46 different languages. I think it’s a great tool for immigrant families to communicate with people.”

Mandarin is the third-most spoken language in Canada, behind English and French, and the ad hopes “Canadians will try to unlock communication simply using their phones,” reads the press release.

“We want to continue to demonstrate how Pixel features like Live Translate can help connect Canadians in ways they never thought were possible,” says Andrew Rapsey, Google Canada’s Head of Product Marketing and Brand Partnerships. “Why not double down on that commitment with a national commercial shot entirely in Mandarin?”

Live Translate makes talking to someone in a different language considerably easier. Users are able to text in their own language, but Live Translate automatically converts and sends it in the language spoken by the person on the other end. Additionally, any messages the other person sends are translated to your language.

The ad is set to air on Canadian airwaves on January 24, while the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are now available.