So I admit I’m something of a nerd and one of my favorite things is watching old science fiction movies and TV shows to compare what older generations thought was ‘advanced technology’ with the common technology available today. The further back you go, the better the two lists align. But, aside from teleporters and flying cars, one thing that never seems to make the jump is a universal translator. Now, Google is moving us one step closer to the future.
Yesterday,
Google announced a change to their
Google Translate App, which is available on
iOS and
Android devices. The company recently purchased Word Lens and has integrated it with their translation software for instant, real-time translation of 7 different languages: English, French, German, Italian, Portugese, Russian and Spanish. All you have to do is point your camera, and Google will translate the meaning of the phrase or word without the use of the Internet or a data connection. It’s like magic! Or science. Or both.
As a note, if you are translating a language that doesn’t yet have real time support, Google Translate still allows for snapping a photo and uploading the image for translation. This translate service currently works between more than 80 different languages, including some more unusual languages like Lao, Basque and Urdu.
Another update to the Google Translate app is the ability to translate conversations in real time. All you have to do is select the languages you want to translate between and start talking. Google will automatically detect which langauge you’re speaking and then will continue to translate between the two without the need to continually press buttons. The idea is to have fluid, natural conversation between two people. Of course, if you speak a second language and you’ve ever used an internet translation engine, then you know how strange some of those phrases and translations can be. When you also take into account that some words are simply difficult to translate to other languages, I find myself a little skeptical as to how well this will work. I’m not checking Universal Translator off of my list just yet, Google! However, it’s still a pretty cool technological milestone. If you get the chance to try it out, let me know what you think in the comments!]]>
