Translation specialist Linguatec has announced the launch of Shoot & Translate, which it says is the first photo translation programme for mobile phones, smartphones and PDAs. To use the application, the user takes a photograph of the object in question, such as a road sign or menu. The software then extracts the text from the picture using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software and translates the text into the users language using the SmartTranslation Technology from Linguatecs Personal Translator solution.
The software also incorporates SmartCorrects correction function, which can even handle spelling errors in menus. For example, says Linguatec, it can correctly recognize raost beefe snadwitch as being roast beef sandwich. Additionally, a text-to-speech engine enables the software to read the translation out loud.
Now, everyone with a mobile phone can have a translator with them at all times and can confidently leave their dictionary at home, says Linguatec CEO, Dr. Reinhard Busch. All they have to do is make sure that their phone is always charged.