#MWC10: Google Goggles to feature instant translation capabilities

Ilinca Nita  By on 18 Feb 10

Introduced in December last year, Google Goggles for Android might soon integrate instant translation capabilities.

In fact, Google has already presented a prototype version of Goggles a MWC 2010: a photo of a text in German was taken with the Nexus One, which then instantly translated the text into English. The prototype software connected the Nexus One’s camera to an OCR (optical character recognition) engine, and used Google Translate to translate the recognized text.

Google promises that “soon your phone will be able to translate signs, posters and other foreign text instantly into your language.” Unfortunately, Google didn’t say when exactly Android users will be able to enjoy the instant translation feature – but it shouldn’t be long until this happens.

Google Goggles translation Nexus One Android

A video demonstrating Google Goggles with instant translation can be watched below:

If you don’t have Google Goggles on your Android smartphone, you can visit Android Market to get it.

Via the official Google Mobile blog

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  • http://twitter.com/mcorbett26 Mike Corbett

    really smart cool technology! hope this works out and gets here soon!

  • jeremyharpham

    So just how practical is this in the real world? There would be little need to use it in your home country. The real benefit is when travelling, for business or pleasure. The sting is in the cost of the data charges you’ll incur when using the mobile internet when traveling. With typical data roaming charges of USD10 per 1MB this is going to get really expensive sending pictures to Google’s servers to be translated. With increasing megapixel counts on Smartphones the costs could be crippling – Understanding what you are having for lunch could cost you more than lunch itself! A more practical solution would be to use the browser on your Smartphone to access a translation website optimized for mobile use, like http://www.freetranslation.com/mobile and type the text you want translated to get an instant translation. A bit more effort than taking a picture but it will be only a fraction of the cost for the data charges. Of course, if you’re a business traveler, have an Android Smartphone and your employer picks up the costs, go ahead.

  • jeremyharpham

    So just how practical is this in the real world? There would be little need to use it in your home country. The real benefit is when travelling, for business or pleasure. The sting is in the cost of the data charges you’ll incur when using the mobile internet when traveling. With typical data roaming charges of USD10 per 1MB this is going to get really expensive sending pictures to Google’s servers to be translated. With increasing megapixel counts on Smartphones the costs could be crippling – Understanding what you are having for lunch could cost you more than lunch itself! A more practical solution would be to use the browser on your Smartphone to access a translation website optimized for mobile use, like http://www.freetranslation.com/mobile and type the text you want translated to get an instant translation. A bit more effort than taking a picture but it will be only a fraction of the cost for the data charges. Of course, if you’re a business traveler, have an Android Smartphone and your employer picks up the costs, go ahead.

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