iPad Translation app opens up travel in Russia

In St. Petersburg, Russia, I used an iPad app to go shopping (July 17'13). My Language Pro (CAN$5.59 after taxes from iTunes) can translate text in 59 languages including Russian and English. The app, however, requires access to Wi-Fi or a data connection.

One of the young Russians from Moscow in our delegation had a smart phone with service in St. Petersburg. She offered me the use of a mobile hot spot through her smart phone. Thus, I was able to access my translator in the shopping mall.

My recent experience in going through many passport control and security procedures persuaded me to look for a travel wallet. So, I went to the second floor to look for travel wallets. A small shop looked like it might have what I needed. But I could not find travel wallets.

Being persistent I approached the sales clerk and simply typed my question in English into the app, "Do you have travel wallets?" This translation appeared in Russian text, "У вас есть путешествия кошельки?" I handed my iPad to the clerk. She read it then promptly went to a display for travel wallets. This is what I bought, a Travel Blue security neck wallet:
Neck wallet can be hidden under my shirt


We never said a word of English during the transaction! I did not say anything in Russian. The smart phone remained in connection with me on the second floor of the shopping mall while the phone was in a store on the first floor! It was then the power of the the app became real to me. It was the key to get me un-stuck anywhere in Russia as long as I had access to Wi-Fi or a data connection.

Comments

  1. Monika PatelOctober 5, 2013 at 9:50 PM

    Just hope that the app isn't like Google Translate and that it uses the correct terms and phrases! Great find though!

    ReplyDelete

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