The company has released an updated version of its that lets you translate printed language simply by pointing your phone's camera at something--for example, a street sign, train schedule, or restaurant menu.
"Think of it as automatic subtitles for everyday life," writes Microsoft's Vikram Dendi, director of product management for Bing Translator, in a blog .
The free app presents a continuous translation displayed over the original language, be it English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, or Chinese Simplified. A sample scenario: You're wandering the streets of Beijing and can't read the street signs. The video below shows how Translator could prove very helpful in this situation:
Video: New Translator App for Windows Phone Powered by Bing Available for Free Download
The app's Voice mode allows you to speak a word or phrase you want translated--"Can you help me find the train station?"--and hear the translation spoken in your choice of Translator's supported languages. (This feature requires a network connection.)
Translator also can download languages and phrase books, allowing you to translate text and images when your phone isn't connected to a network, Microsoft says.
Translator for Windows Phone is one of a growing number of mobile apps that incorporate augmented reality tech, a strong indication that AR is much more than a lab curiosity.
Apple iPhone and iPad users should check out on 15 great augmented reality apps for iOS.
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