Launched in the UK on Wednesday by XS2TheWorld is the world’s first mobile phone application that turns your phone into a multilingual holiday or business lifeline. The application contains up to 300 phrases for each of the current seven languages supported. Not only does it display the phrases on your screen phonetically, it fluently speaks them in the local language. Whether you are looking for directions, a restaurant, a museum of even looking for love your mobile can now do the talking.
“Phrase books are dead,” claims inventor Sander Munsterman. Adding: “Even if we can find the words we need in a phrase book, trying to ask where is the nearest cash machine is in Mandarin is beyond most of us. The ability of the mobile to speak clearly for you has shown some amazing results. People warm to you. It becomes a point of interest and communicating and getting what you want much simpler.”
It’s a familiar picture around the world; the picture based menu has been a ‘crash mat’ for those who don’t speak the local language. Dining out is just a small part of the phrases available. The range of words is based around a number of activities from local customs, travel, doctors or emergencies to general conversations, flirting and fun. In addition a city guide provides spoken directions to places of interest and cool places to hang-out, makes this an essential travellers accessory.
For a limited period the application can be downloaded for free by visiting http://www.xs2theworld.com/ (The normal price of each language is £5)
Report by Chitra Mogul
