Google Translate just got way more useful on Android. A New ‘Tap to Translate’ feature lets you use translate text from any app.
It works by translating whatever is in your clipboard. For instance, when you copy text from a WhatsApp message, a little Translate bubble will pop up – click on this and you’ll see the translated text. From there you can also switch languages or make a new translation.
Meanwhile, iOS users are getting Android’s Offline mode. Offline Mode will now use smaller translation packages, which should make them easier to download over weak mobile data connections.
The 💜 of EU tech
The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!
The language packages are now 25MB each, which Google says is a 90 percent size reduction. You can enable offline languages by tapping the arrow next to the language name.
Finally, Google is adding Chinese to its Word Lens feature. If you’re not familiar, Word Lens basically translates live footage from your camera. You can point your phone at menus or street signs, for instance, and see the translated text magically replace the original.
The updates are rolling out to Android and iOS ‘over the next few days.’
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.