Google Maps gets enhanced translation feature

Google Translate

Traveling internationally can be a very fun experience, but also, it can be quite scary. When you don't speak the local language, you can have anxiety regarding communicating with people when you need help -- such as getting directions. Thankfully, smartphones have made foreign travel much easier thanks to both translation and navigation apps.

Google makes two of the best such solutions -- Google Maps and Google Translate. Today, the search giant is increasing their interoperability. Now, when you tap on a location in Google Maps, the translation software can audibly say what that location is -- in the local language. As an example, you can hop into a taxi and tap on where you want to go (a restaurant, hotel, etc.) and your smartphone will say it audibly in the driver's language so he/she knows where to go. Very cool.

"This month, we're adding a new translator feature that enables your phone to speak out a place's name and address in the local lingo. Simply tap the new speaker button next to the place name or address, and Google Maps will say it out loud, making your next trip that much simpler. And when you want to have a deeper conversation, Google Maps will quickly link you to the Google Translate app," says Laszlo de Brissac, Product Manager, Google Maps.

ALSO READ: Google Maps offers voice guidance for those with impaired vision

de Brissac further says, "This text-to-speech technology automatically detects what language your phone is using to determine which places you might need help translating. For instance, if your phone is set to English and you're looking at a place of interest in Tokyo, you’ll see the new speaker icon next to the place’s name and address so you can get a real-time translation."

For whatever reason, Google is not just releasing the feature to everyone today. Instead, it will be rolled out slowly over the next month for both iPhone and Android users. Google shares that 50 languages will be supported at first, but fails to list which languages they are. Oh well. I am sure more details will be revealed soon.

What do you think of this feature? Would it help you when traveling abroad? Please tell me in the comments below.

Image credit: Jirsak / Shutterstock

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