Docomo's Hanashite Honyaku Brings World's First Mobile Translation Service On Nov 1st

We all need a good translation service in our feature-rich smartphones when we are traveling to new places. And Japanese being one of the most difficult to learn language, the folks over at NTT Docomo have announced the launch of world’s first mobile translation service called 'Hanashite Honyaku' on November 1st. Before that, on Octover 11th, another of its useful services called 'Utsushite Honyaku' (AR translator with word recognition camera) is being launched. This service will make sure you aren't lost in a foreign country while looking for directions. It will translate foreign menus, street signs and signboards for you. All you have to do is simply place your smartphone camera in front of the text.

Hanashite Honyaku, which uses Docomo's cloud for fast processing, currently translates between Japanese and English, Chinese or Korean. You will be able to see the translated text on screen text as well as in audio format. So, now the Caller can speak in Japanese and the Callee will hear the translated version of your words. How useful! If you are a frequent traveler abroad, you know how much you need this. You can use this same service in shops and restaurants too. Just hold up your smartphone and speak. To aid you in fact-to-face talks, Docomo promises to add the languages - French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai to this app by late November.

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If by now the Android 2.3 or higher users among you are already looking forward to getting this app, you will be happy to know that the app is going to be made available free of charge. For making calls, your normal call charges + data charges will be required and yes, a subscription to Docomo’s “sp-mode” or “moperaU” connection service is necessary.

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