Software : Cortana adds native translation support to its box of tricks |
- Cortana adds native translation support to its box of tricks
- Instagram turns itself into a genuine messaging service
- Stephen Colbert's 'dulcet tones' are all over Waze's latest update
| Cortana adds native translation support to its box of tricks Posted:  All the goodness of Microsoft Translator is being added to the Cortana app inside Windows 10, which means you'll soon be able to ask Microsoft's digital assistant for instant translations. Just load up the OS on a tablet or laptop and you're good for your tour of Europe (just watch those data charges). Native translation support is now available in the US and China and we're hoping it expands internationally soon. Cortana itself hasn't yet been switched on in the UK yet for Windows 10 users but there seems no reason why Microsoft would want to hold it back much longer. 38 different languages are supported, including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, simplified Chinese and Japanese. Some less well-known ones make the cut too, such as Finnish and Slovenian. Language barriersTo use Cortana's new interpretation skills, shout the "hey Cortana" shortcut at your computer. You can then use the phrases "translate..." or "how to say..." as you prefer. As with any other Cortana query, you can opt to type it into the taskbar search box if you don't like raising your voice in the living room or office. Via the Open Translator button to the side you can edit the translation, hear it through a text-to-speech engine, or share it with a friend (if you must) - and this shortcut takes you to the Microsoft Translator page on Bing. Considering Microsoft Translator is already well established as part of Bing, it's a surprise it's taken so long to make the jump to Cortana. Microsoft also recently added the same functionality to its Skype app, though if you have serious business to conduct we'd suggest that learning the lingo is still the best way of making yourself understood. |
| Instagram turns itself into a genuine messaging service Posted:  Instagram has just added a bunch of new instant messaging features to its mobile apps, making it easier to hold one-to-one conversations, share photos privately and keep track of group chats on the platform. Instagram Direct launched back in December 2013, giving users the option to send photos privately, but up until now it's been fairly limited as a DM platform - users had to start conversations with a photo, for example, and could only reply with text rather than another picture. Now both of those limitations have been dropped. What's more, it's now possible to share something straight from your feed into a private conversation, reducing the need for all those @mentions cluttering up the comments. Pick up the threadThe newly added threaded conversations feature makes it easier to pick up chats where you left off, and Instagram obviously wants to tap into the success enjoyed by WhatsApp - both apps are owned by Facebook, of course. "With these changes to Direct, it's easier to connect around the things you love," enthuses Instagram in the official blog post. "We hope it helps bring the community closer together than ever." According to Instagram, around 85 million people (from a total userbase of 300 million) make use of Instagram Direct. The new upgrades available now on iOS and Android should see that figure climb further. |
| Stephen Colbert's 'dulcet tones' are all over Waze's latest update Posted:  The next time you need Waze's navigating help, you could have Stephen Colbert telling you when to veer right. From 8 September to 22 September, Stephen Colbert's voice will be joining Waze to give you turn-by-turn directions to help celebrate his new role as the host of The Late Show, which is set to premiere next week. "For years, I navigated the roadways using a compass, a sextant and the guidance offered by the stars," Colbert said. "But now I can just listen to my own dulcet tones instructing me on Waze." Check out Colbert listening to his own Waze directions in the video below: Navigating the promosUsers will also be able to choose New England Patriots star player Rob Gronkowski and Neil Patrick Harris to help give you ideas, but you'll be facing promotions from these two voice command options as well. Gronkowski will help you with your directions, but will also tell you the locations of Dunkin' Donuts, while Neil Patrick Harris' voice is on board to promote his new show, Best Time Ever. This isn't the first time Waze has had celebrity voices on its app with a promotional angle - earlier this year, users could pick Arnold Schwarzenegger to give them turn-by-turn directions part of a promotional campaign for the film Terminator: Genisys. While some might find it annoying to have promotions thrown at them while being told to turn left or right, it's still a fun way for Waze to bring the voices of your favorite celebrities on to the free app without charging you a premium. The app itself is also getting a helpful new feature that will remind users to slow down when approaching certain intersections in Boston, Los Angeles, NYC, San Francisco and Washington D.C. that have the greatest incidences of collisions or injuries. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from TechRadar: All latest Applications news feeds To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States | |
No comments:
Post a Comment