Steape has introduced its talking phrase books for mobile phones in the UK and US markets, allowing customers to communicate in foreign languages without the need to attempt correct pronunciation.
The Netherlands-based company provides three levels of translation services: Mini-Speaking Dictionary, consisting of 500 travel-related words; Steape Travel, containing 100 useful phrases in various travel topics such as ”overnight accommodation” and ”service and communication”; and Steape Knowledge, which has basic vocabulary such as days of the week and numbers and is free when another product is purchased.
There are 17 languages available, with a total of 272 combinations, including communications from one non-English language to another. Current languages available include Mandarin, Japanese, Russian, Korean and Arabic, in addition to European options such as French, German, Spanish and Italian.
Translations come with text display and sound, which are recorded with native speakers and then played back via the mobile phone”s speaker. They are currently available on 138 different models of phone.
”The most important aspect of our translation products is that they offer you exactly the words you need, at precisely the moment you need them,” said CEO, Marc van Bommel. ”Also, the fun-factor of letting your mobile talk for you means that you can quickly break the ice and enjoy a conversation.”