Google Translate

Google Translate updated with Word Lens integration, improved real-time conversation translation

Confirming reports that emerged earlier this week, Google has updated its Translate app for both Android and iOS, bringing features such as instant translation with Word Lens and improved real-time conversation translation.

The updated app has made it even easier to navigate a foreign language by letting you instantly translate text using your camera. All you have to do is to just point your camera at a sign or text and you’ll see the translated text overlaid on your screen.

This instant translation should come in handy while navigating foreign-language street signs, or deciding what to order off a restaurant menu in a different language. The best part is that it works even if you don't have an Internet or data connection.

The feature currently works for translation from English to and from French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish, although the company is working to add more languages.

Aside from this, Google has also tweaked the real-time conversation translation feature to make the conversation flow faster and more naturally. "When talking with someone in an unfamiliar language, conversations can... get... realllllllly... sloowwww," the Mountain View, California-based company said in a blog post.

Simply tap the mic to start speaking in a selected language, then tap the mic again, and the app will automatically recognize the language being spoken. You just have to do this once for each speaker, which means that for the rest of the conversation, you won’t need to tap the mic again.

Head over to Google Play or the App Store to download the latest version of the app. The update is gradually rolling out so it may take a few days before it reaches everyone.