The company has released an updated version of its Translator app for Windows Phone 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 post.
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:
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 this slideshow on 15 great augmented reality apps for iOS.
Contact Jeff Bertolucci at Today@PCWorld, Twitter (@jbertolucci) or jbertolucci.blogspot.com.