Google Goggles app translates text using phone’s camera

The newest version of mobile application Google Goggles (image recognition technology) enables automatic text translation using the phone’s camera. From translating street signs to navigating foreign menus, people can now use their Android mobile devices for easy on-the-spot translation using the technology of Google Goggles plus the engine behind Google Translate.

Here’s how it works:

Download Google Goggles from the Android Marketplace

Point your phone at a word or phrase. Use the region of interest button to draw a box around specific words

Press the shutter button

Goggles will recognize the text, and give you the option to translate

Press the translation button to select the source and destination language. (Note we do our best to detect the source language)

Current languages supported include English, French, Italian, German and Spanish. We plan to extend our recognition capabilities to other languages over time, including both Latin-based and non-Latin languages.

In addition to translation, Google Goggles v1.1 features a larger database of recognized objects, improved user interface, and the ability to initiate visual searches using images in your phone’s gallery. Point your phone at a building that takes you eye in Paris or Rome for example and be connected to search results telling you all about it.

Google Goggles lets you use pictures taken with your mobile phone to search the web. It's ideal for things that aren't easy to describe in words. There's no need to type or speak your query - all you have to do is open the app, snap a picture, and wait for your search results. Google Goggles is currently available for Android devices running Android 1.6 and above. Search for 'Google Goggles' in Android Market to get the latest release.

Google Translate is an automatic translator for 42 languages, and 1722 language pairs in total. Google Translate uses a state-of-the-art technology engine based built from the ground up that improves with use. To try Google Translate, visit google.com/translate