Word Lens Instantly Translates Text Using an iPhone’s Camera

iPhone Quest Visual Translation Word Lens

by Robert Quigley | 9:07 am, December 17th, 2010

Wow. Word Lens is an iPhone app made by Quest Visual that lets iPhone 4 users visually translate printed text near-instantly. Hold your iPhone’s camera up to printed text and the app will automatically translate it into another language on your phone’s screen, fitted to the physical space in which the original was printed, as seen above.

Word Lens instantly translates printed words from one language to another using the video camera on your iPhone. No network delay, no roaming fees, and no reception problems.

Word Lens is a dictionary — evolved. It looks up words for you, and shows them in context. You can use Word Lens on your vacations to translate restaurant menus, street signs, and other things that have clearly printed words.

Currently, the app only supports English-to-Spanish and Spanish-to-English translation, though hopefully more is coming. While the app is free to download, you have to purchase the translation packs for $4.99 each (English-to-Spanish and Spanish-to-English are separate), which the developer says will be jacked up to $9.99 in 2011. The translation isn’t totally accurate — though heck, neither is Google Translate — and high-contrast is needed for the translator to work fully effectively. But as a beta effort and a strong one at that, this shows the potential of what augmented reality can do.

Demo video below:

(via Laughing Squid | Developer’s site, iTunes page)

http://twitter.com/ImperialJedi Will Smyth

Seems like a cool new idea!
Looking forward to some more language support :D
http://twitter.com/Danilka ʌoʞıuʇɐʎzoʞ ןıuɐp

I am soo shocked!!! It is unbelievable!!
http://twitter.com/Danilka ʌoʞıuʇɐʎzoʞ ןıuɐp

I am soo shocked!!! It is unbelievable!!
http://twitter.com/Burasto Bura Mathews

Native spanish speaker here. These translations are horrible and totally literal. Please don’t use it to learn other languages. They are worse than Google Translator because this one doesn’t change the order of the words, like Google does (in the first image, it translates “french fries” as “french french fries” and “grilled sausages” as “sausages grilled”)
Anonymous

Another translation app that is worth checking out is TransImage. The app is completely free and available in over 30 pre-installed languages.

The Unintentional Hilarity of Twitter Spam Bots

Back Alley Internet is a recurring column in which we explore some of the weirder corners of the Internet and see what we can drudge up for your amusement and education. This week: We study the legions of Twitter bots that trawl the trending topics and spit out some unintentionally hilarious tweets.

Tweetosystem

Eric Limer You have to tew two tutus?! I have to tew two tutus too!
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Max The Pizza and Pasta Foundation supports the federal SAUCE act. Ask your congressman to put some SAUCE on it!
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Eric Limer I like how if you make a mistake typing a popular URL, invariably the site you find is all "YOU'RE WINNER!" It's uplifting for a second.
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Max Spam for work involves a false teeth supplier and someone looking to buy magnetic plates.
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Eric Limer So that improv show was definitely a good idea. Ben Schwartz, Zach Woods, Justin Long, AND Adam Scott. #EverythingWentBetterThanExpected
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Max Got a lot crossed off my to-do list tonight, and I'm starting to feel significantly less freaked about about, well, life.
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Eric Limer I need trephination like I need a hole in the head.
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Max AIM CHAT: I like you, too. *belushis*
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Eric Limer Listening to Call Me Maybe and cropping screengrabs of Twitter bots. It's times like this that I really love my job.
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James Plafke Popular rapper Ladies Love Removed Eyes.
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Eric Limer I am genuinely enjoying using So.cl to make weird picture mash-ups. I just made a collage of becks. http://t.co/ulGbDbwn
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Eric Limer This Facebook IPO coverage needs to stop cuz I'm seriously sick of seeing Zuckerberg staring creepily at me from the top of every story.
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Max Put on your poodle skirts and choose your favorite syrup because we're gonna have a sock-hop at the iHop.
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James Plafke I just threatened my mom to email me something by telling her I'd discuss with her all the lady celebrities I'd have sex with.
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Max New Hallmark Card: "I held an extended conversation with you without being able to remember your name" Inside: "I'm sorry."
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Eric Limer To any of you bros who might like to ice me, I encourage you to act on that urge, bro.
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Eric Limer If anyone is looking for some totally garbled, nigh-incomprehensible ad copy, I'm your man.
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Eric Limer What? None of my Facebook friends are on So.cl? How can this be?!
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Eric Limer "Does this mustache look creepy? Experts are blind; can't tell."
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Rollin Bishop Lin Beifong is suddenly one of the best things about Legend of Korra.
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