Have you considered providing the flip side of the conversation? I would want to use an English interface to present a question and possible answers to a person who speaks another language, but it might also be possible that I'd want to let them pick from a list of phrases/questions in their language and allow me to answer as well.
I definitely do see value in this kind of interaction though, but we're going to have to be careful about how we implement it so we don't make the interface confusing for the person you actually want to communicate and not confuse!
The phone cost more than the vendor will make in a year, and the backpacker was oblivious that he was shoving that in her face.
I would never use such a thing.
I don't travel in Asia much, but if some European languages are added, this will go on my must have list of apps.
Never mind the safety implications of publicly showing off a ~$500 device in a crowded street market in a developing country.
I'm hoping there's an Android version in the works?
- Parlez-vous anglais?
- No
- Je ne parle pas bien le français, mais ... [followed by
English with French-style word mangling and descriptive
gestures and sounds]
What do you mean by perfect Swiss? (To be honest, as a German I am inclined to classify Swiss German as its own language. Especially since we already grant Dutch to be a different language from German.)
(edit) I've been using a Google Translate-based contraption to do what this app does, and the most annoying and awkward part is that pause in the conversation when you have to type stuff into the phone. You get rid of this pause, you got yourself an exceptionally useful product.
Now, in most places on earth, I can tap my phone and say a name and get the person on the line.
I am very optimistic. I'm tired of the dystopian naysaying that seems to be so popular these days. The future is full of win.
It's a beautiful app, and I wouldn't be surprised if it won designs from Apple.
-sc
You mention "large, readable text"... would it be larger and more readable if the app was in landscape mode? Or would it be harder to use?
Although, they could sell a tether as an accessory.