iPod Language Translator

iPod has already made traveling easier and millions of people are able to take advantage of the numerous uses the iPod gives us. People are able to carry music, photos, movies, and digital voice recordings anywhere we go. To add to these many uses traveling to foreign countries and learning a new language is now even simpler. There are several software packages available to iPod users that allow them to see and hear phrases in foreign languages.

IParrot is a multi-language translator that gives you translations of a variety of sentences so you can speak with others in different countries. By making use of the "Notes" feature, iParrot turns your iPod into a translator, language learner machine, dictionary, and encyclopedia. IParrot version 2.0 is compatible with the iPod Mini, iPod Nano and iPod Video. The program features text correction and improvement and pronunciation correction and improvement.

IParrot uses various categories that are organized into greetings, transportation, shopping, help, etc. Sentences are organized for instant access and ease of use. The iParrot is available in Chinese, English, Japanese, Russian, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Korean and Portugese. Users are able to read sentences directly off the screen.

ILingo is another language translation software that works with iPod as well. ILingo is also organized into categories for ease of use. These categories include greetings, shopping, getting directions and emergency. ILingo contains basic phrases for international travel. Each country is tailored and you are able to find any phrase you need in any country. ILingo also helps users learn proper pronunciation as the speaker pronounces each phrase for you properly. Practice your language while you are on the plane and you will be ready to go when you land.

Each translator comes with four hundred phrases in each language. Audio files have been created by native speakers so that pronunciation is correct. ILingo is compatible with iPods that have the dock connector on the bottom. It is not compatible with the iPod shuffle, or and iPod that has a wheel that physically moves or a direct FireWire connection on top. There are two versions of iLingo. ILingo Euro Pack features French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian. ILingo AsiaPack features Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

Coolgorilla.com offers free iPod software. They have iPod translator phrasebooks with over 750 phrases that you can use while traveling in foreign countries. Each translator is divided into sections for traveling, socializing, emergencies, accommodations and a dictionary. Languages are provided by Lastminute.com and include German, French, Greek, and Spanish.

So as you can see the iPod is more than a cool toy for kids. It has some practical applications for business and the greater community. The benefits when traveling to a foreign country is obvious and imagine how much easier learning a new language is now going to be.

And no doubt as the iPod technology progresses even further and more uses of the iPod will become apparent. Eventually everyone will have one just like everyone now has a mobile phone.

With You in Technology
Adam White