An amazing communication tool
For many of us, one of the best uses of the iPad is as a communication tool, particularly for video conferencing. This is about to become even more powerful, thanks to Apple’s Call Translation API and Live Translation, which means you can engage in constructive meetings with people despite any language barrier by delivering almost instant translation of what is being said. (And all on the device).
When making a call, using Messages, or in FaceTime, Live Translation will provide real-time translation captions in English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. When making a call using the Phone app, your words can be translated on screen in real time and then said in the language of the person you are speaking with. When they speak back, you’ll see their words translated on your screen and also hear a synthetic voice speaking to you in your own language. Even better, the other caller doesn’t need to be using an iPhone or iPad.
I really think Live Translation will be of huge use to international enterprise professionals. The API builds on this, making it possible to build translation into internal and externally-facing company apps. Messages (which can also translate Italian, Japanese, Korean and simplified Chinese, as well as the above) will also translate messages between languages for you.
This story originally appeared on Computerworld
