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Android 6.0 Marshmallow’s instant translation feature will enable its users to translate texts within apps such as TripAdvisor and WhatsApp.
Many people turn to Google’s translation features when they cannot be bothered to translate something themselves. In 2010, Google took things to the next level by allowing its users to translate any written text – be it menu items, street signs, etc. – only by taking a picture of the text, and staring 2015 the translation app can translate the text when people view it using the device’s screen (no pictures needed).
But how is Android 6.0 Marshmallow any different?
The difference is that Android 6.0 Marshmallow has integrated the translation features into famous apps like TripAdvisor, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp, which means that the text will be automatically translated within the respective app. Google’s Translation app has to be installed as well in order for the Android Marshmallow instant translation feature to work on phones or tablets.
When people want to translate something, for instance a hotel review on TripAdvisor, they only have to highlight the text that they want to be translated, and the Android will display a toolbar with the words ‘copy’, ‘paste’, ‘cut’, ‘search’, ‘comment’ and ‘translate’. The user than has to select the ‘translate’ option; it is that simple.
For the WhatApp app, the users will be able to type a message in their native language (or whatever language they prefer) and the Android feature will automatically translate it into the language spoken by the other person.
According to Google, this feature will enable its users to translate in 90 different languages. The Android 6.0 Marshmallow feature will not work on previous Android versions, and it is possible that it will not be implemented on iPhones or iPads any time soon.
The Google Translation service is used by more than 500 million people per month, and a whopping number of more than 100 billion words are translated daily. The translations are getting more accurate with the help of increased numbers of words, which are placed into a data base and are then used by translation algorithms.
In 2014, Skype, which is owned by the Microsoft Corporation, stated that it will launch a real-time audio translation service.
Image Source: slashgear
Rebecca McGhee
Rebecca McGhee is a valuable contributor for several publications and online platforms. Having graduates with a degree in Computer Science, her interest lies mostly in this area. Yet, she finds any tech-related topic or scientific topic is a challenge worth meeting. She enjoys turning her own research projects in worthy contributions that reach the large public. And mostly, she is grateful for all the feedback she receives from readers, as she believes it aids her in permanently improving her style of writing, beyond the scientific style she is accustomed to.
