Smartphones and networks have just got smarter. In a global first, Japanese mobile operator NTT Docomo has launched an automatic translation service for voice calls.
The LTE/3G-compatible service provides rapid translation between English and Korean and Japanese and Chinese, as of now. From late November, the company has said face-to-face interpretation will be available between Japanese and 10 other languages such as English, French, German, Italian, as well as Chinese and Korean.
The translation is processed by the network, not through the handset or an application, and then the translation is provided through voice synthesis.
Hanashite Hon’yaku (Japanese for `speak and translate') automatically interprets voice calls via Docomo's mobile network.
The advantages are significant given that complex translations requiring powerful computers are processed by cloud servers in the network. Translations are virtually instantaneous and accurate, no matter which smartphone or tablet the customer uses.
Newly added languages and other changes are handled unobtrusively in the cloud, so upgrades, that are currently being carried out weekly, cause no inconvenience to customers, the company has said.
It is easy to use and there is no extra charge. The present service is intended for casual, everyday translation rather than business.
For example, it’s great for a Japanese tourist traveling overseas who needs to use Chinese, English or Korean to make a reservation for a restaurant or a tour.
The service can be used two ways. Besides phone-to-phone translation, a single smartphone can be used for face-to-face translation. A Japanese store clerk, for example, can use the latter function when talking with a foreign customer.
To use the service either in Japan or overseas, the caller simply requires to initiate the free app installed in a Docomo smartphone or tablet running Android 2.2 or higher. Calls can be placed to any mobile or landline phone.
Although free, the service is expected to boost Docomo’s operating revenue by generating increased voice calls and network traffic.
At present the face-to-face mode recognises various accents, such as American, Australian and British English. Going forward, more accents will be added for each language, and interpretation accuracy will be further strengthened for colloquial expressions.
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The LTE/3G-compatible service provides rapid translation between English and Korean and Japanese and Chinese, as of now. From late November, the company has said face-to-face interpretation will be available between Japanese and 10 other languages such as English, French, German, Italian, as well as Chinese and Korean.
The translation is processed by the network, not through the handset or an application, and then the translation is provided through voice synthesis.
Hanashite Hon’yaku (Japanese for `speak and translate') automatically interprets voice calls via Docomo's mobile network.
The advantages are significant given that complex translations requiring powerful computers are processed by cloud servers in the network. Translations are virtually instantaneous and accurate, no matter which smartphone or tablet the customer uses.
Newly added languages and other changes are handled unobtrusively in the cloud, so upgrades, that are currently being carried out weekly, cause no inconvenience to customers, the company has said.
It is easy to use and there is no extra charge. The present service is intended for casual, everyday translation rather than business.
For example, it’s great for a Japanese tourist traveling overseas who needs to use Chinese, English or Korean to make a reservation for a restaurant or a tour.
The service can be used two ways. Besides phone-to-phone translation, a single smartphone can be used for face-to-face translation. A Japanese store clerk, for example, can use the latter function when talking with a foreign customer.
To use the service either in Japan or overseas, the caller simply requires to initiate the free app installed in a Docomo smartphone or tablet running Android 2.2 or higher. Calls can be placed to any mobile or landline phone.
Although free, the service is expected to boost Docomo’s operating revenue by generating increased voice calls and network traffic.
At present the face-to-face mode recognises various accents, such as American, Australian and British English. Going forward, more accents will be added for each language, and interpretation accuracy will be further strengthened for colloquial expressions.
Read