Google Translate

Use Google Translate to translate between more than 100 languages.

Google Translate is the official Google translation app, and it lets you translate between more than 100 languages. It does make use of online services, but even if you’re without Internet access, the app can still translate between more than 50 languages. The simplest way to use the app is to type or copy text into its textbox. Select a destination language, and poof, you’ll have your conversion in seconds.

There are other ways to use the app for many of the languages supported. For 29 languages, you can, for instance, simply take a picture from your phone and have the app translate from that. This is quite useful for signage when walking or driving. There’s also a conversation mode for two-way instant translation, a handwriting mode that lets you draw characters and a phrasebook that lets you favorite and save translations. The phrasebook can be a great resource while travelling.

You can set Google Translate to output via speech in addition or instead of text. There’s a censor option that makes the app safe for children. You can set the default language for the app, and in certain configurations, it’s possible to download languages in order to have access to them offline.

Google Translate is one of the most sophisticated programs of its kind, so it’s probably not fair to criticize it for imprecise translations. That’s the truth from a practical standpoint, however, and it limits how we might use this app. Nevertheless, when you need to translate a word or sentence or get the gist of longer prose fast, no apps provide that service better than this one.

Pros

• Official Google Translate app
• Translate between more than 100 languages
• Supports more than 50 languages without Internet

Cons

• Translations aren’t perfect

Bug fixes and improvements