Japan mobile provider NTT DoCoMo will be releasing the world's first live translating app.
Launching on October 11, the Utsushite Hon’yaku, a "translator with word recognition camera," is going to be available for anyone with a smartphone free of charge to other mobile devices or landlines. Though currently only available in English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese, other languages like French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish will be added in November, which will bring the app's capabilities up to ten languages.
The translating app is great for tourists or business people who often travel to the country for business and don't have time to learn the language thoroughly. Providing instantaneous language conversions, the app can also translate signs with its image recognition software simply by holding the phone's camera to the words.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Live Translation
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop real-time translating apps for other languages and expand to global markets.
- Instant Translation
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate the translation app with wearable devices to provide seamless and hands-free translation experiences.
- Image Recognition
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Apply image recognition technology to other industries such as retail for inventory management and customer service.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Mobile Technology
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborate with mobile providers to improve the accuracy and speed of translation apps.
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Offer translation services specifically tailored for the tourism and hospitality industry to enhance the travel experience for international visitors.
- Language Learning
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create language learning platforms that integrate live translation features to help users practice and improve their language skills.
