Microsoft announced a new Translator App for Windows Phone, powered by Bing.
“The world is a melting pot of culture and languages,” a spokesperson for Microsoft tells WebProNews. “And now with your trusted Windows Phone, you can face new countries or local restaurants with the Translator App.”
“The app allows you to translate typed text, voice translation, and even scan with your camera,” he says. “Just point at menus, newspapers or any printed text and the app will scan and overlay the translation.”
“If you’re traveling in a different country and don’t want to pay roaming fees, just download the language pack you need and you can use the app offline,” he adds.
Between scan, type and speak mode, you can choose your preference and pin it to your home screen that way.
“It is one of the shining ways in which we were able to take full advantage of Windows Phone’s innovative design that puts people at the center of the experience,” says Director of Product Management Vikram Dendi on the Bing blog. “You can also pin the app itself to the home screen – to unlock a useful ‘live tile’, helping deliver a translation a day in the language of your choice. Thanks to this feature, you can learn a new language one word at a time.”
The app is available in the Windows Phone Marketplace for free. If you have an older version fo the app, you’ll be notified of an update soon.