Google Translate app gets weighty update, will translate signs through your smartphone camera

[![Google Translate app adds weighty update, will translate signs][1] ][2]

Google's multi-lingual [translation app][3] decided that (online) words were not enough. Beyond digital text, a new update to Translate will let Google's bots translate what you're looking at, whether that's hand-written directions or a sign saying, "wrong way." Though its not the first time we've seen an app that [translates text from the camera][4] (not even [for Google][5]) the update includes a convenient touch-guided interface that allows you to draw over the text you'd like converted into English -- it seemed to master our beginners' Spanish textbook with ease. The update also adds improvements to its voice translations, with new dialect preferences and improved handwriting recognition for [Japanese][6] input. Grab the download before you board that flight abroad this summer -- just ensure it's on a WiFi-only connection once you get there.

Filed under: [Cellphones][7], [Tablet PCs][8], [Software][9]

[Google Translate app gets weighty update, will translate signs through your smartphone camera][2] originally appeared on [Engadget][10] on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 08:06:00 EDT. Please see our [terms for use of feeds][11].

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[Permalink][12] ![][13][Android Central][14] | ![source][15][Google Translate (Google Play)][16] | [Email this][17] | [Comments][18]

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[2]: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/09/google-translate-app-update-visual-translation/
[3]: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/31/google-updates-translate-plugin-and-android-app-unites-nations/
[4]: http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/17/word-lens-augmented-reality-app-instantly-translates-whatever-yo/
[5]: http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/06/google-goggles-starts-to-get-useful-adds-text-translation/
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