Hostelworld recently updated its mobile app with a new feature called 'Speak the World,' which offers real-time translation.
With this new feature, users are able to choose a language, speak into their mobile device's built-in microphone and see spoken words appear before their eyes on the screen. The app then listens for a response from the other speaker in the conversation to offer a very speedy translation. In all, the app can process about 40 seconds of speech at a time, which is perfect for asking simple questions on direction or noteworthy destinations.
This app aims to bridge a gap in communication that often causes problems for tourists who do not speak the local language.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Real-time Translation
- Opportunity to develop AI-powered, language-agnostic translation apps for individuals and businesses globally.
- Conversational User Interface
- Opportunity to incorporate voice-activated translation functionality into various consumer-focused apps and devices.
- Localization
- Opportunity to localize translation apps that cater to specific regions and dialects, thereby making them more accessible to users.
Where This Applies
- Travel and Hospitality
- Opportunity to disrupt and improve the tourism industry by reducing language barriers for tourists.
- Language Services
- Opportunity to disrupt traditional language services and provide cost-effective and convenient solutions for businesses and individuals.
- Consumer Electronics
- Opportunity to incorporate real-time translation functionality into consumer electronics such as smartphones, smart speakers, and wearables, thereby enabling users to communicate across languages seamlessly.
