Quest Visual’s Word Lens hit the App Store on Thursday bringing with it the ability to use the iPhone’s built-in camera to capture text and translate it into a different language. The app translates text in real time, and doesn’t require an Internet connection to work.
Word Lens uses the video camera feature in the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and the fourth generation iPod touch and supports translating printed text. Translated text appears in place of the original text in captured images.
Translate text with Word Lens
So far, English to Spanish and Spanish to English translation packs are available, but the company says more are on the way. To give users an idea of how the app works, Word Lens includes Erase Words and Reverse Words options.
World Lens is free, and is available at Apple’s iTunes-based App Store. Translation packs are priced at US$4.99 each.