Google is rolling out an update for the Google Translate app that will make it more more useful than it is now. iOS users will also be catching up with the Android version of the app with this new update, which will be rolling out over the next few days.
Word Lens allows users to use the smartphone camera to translate signs and text. All one has to do is point the camera at the sign and the app will overlay the translation right over the text. This is mostly helpful for travelers who are unable to read the local signage. This feature isn’t that much of a leap, as Windows Phone has had it for a couple of years now. The real improvement happens to be that Word Lens works offline, without an internet connection; something that is great for those who don’t want to pay telco roaming charges.
The real time conversation mode has also been tweaked to provide for faster and more natural translation. How it works hasn’t changed, but it will now work faster. This, however, still requires a data connection and may be subject to how efficient your internet speed is.
Word Lens and conversation mode are new to Google Translate on iOS, so this update will likely be more impressive for those on an Apple device.
[Source: Google Blog]
