Lonely Planet blog

We have just released a new range for apps – the Lonely Planet Offline Translator is a mobile speech and text translator for the world traveller – available for both Apple (iOS) and Android mobile devices.

It’s pretty simple. You talk, it translates.  Just record your voice (or type in the text) and you will be presented with an audio and text translation – all without any data or roaming charges.

We are really excited about this product. Making an effort to speak the native language enhances your travel experience and is a great way of connecting with people and a place. This app makes this easier and it also helps with the everyday practicalities when travelling in a non-English speaking country.

There are a couple of features that we think make this a worthy travel companion:

• 100% offline. Unlike other translator products, it does not require an internet connection or data roaming. You can use it anywhere, anytime without incurring any costs. We think this is essential given you will want to use this overseas (and roaming fees can sting!).
• Bilingual. You can translate from English to a foreign language, and also from a foreign language to English.  This is particularly useful given sometimes you want to understand what is being said (or written) and other times you want people to understand you. You can actually have a two-way conversation with the app acting as the translator.

The Offline Translator apps make communicating simple, and are far more effective than the common approach of talking slower, and louder, while making unrecognisable hand signals.

So go check them out!

• Available for Apple iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch) and Android devices
• Apps are currently available for Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Iraqi Arabic, and Tagalog with more languages coming.
• Special introductory price of US$4.99 / AUD$5.49 / £2,99 / 3,99 €

We would also like to thank Jibbigo – whose award-winning, state-of-the-art speech technology powers the apps.

Watch the video below to see the Lonely Planet Translator in action:

Hide 18 comments

1. September 30, 2011 coolmango Report this comment

   I am going to France next month, and just bought the app… And OMG. It is amazing. Can’t wait to try it out.. Brilliant.

2. September 30, 2011 coolmango Report this comment

   If you want a laugh, while recording in “French mode” count to 8 in English . the translation is incredibly funny back played back in English.

3. October 1, 2011 rggray3 Report this comment

   Is there a timeframe for a Polish translator?

4. October 14, 2011 adventar Report this comment

   The Android app keeps telling me that I’m not speaking loud enough (my mic is working just fine), and the what it is hearing, and thus translating, would be comical if it wasn’t so aggravating. I may have to uninstall this app unless I can get some help.

5. October 15, 2011 adamnsn Report this comment

   adventar, I have sent you a private message to assist with this.

6. October 18, 2011 morecoffeenow Report this comment

   Is there a help or read me file somewhere? I downloaded the English=Mandarin translator and I don’t understand some of the symbols. Also, is it loading incredibly slowly (at every point) because it’s Mandarin or am I doing something wrong? I have a 3rd gen iPhone. BTW, the iPhone phrase book is awesome. Thanks.

7. October 18, 2011 rosco10001 Report this comment

   have purchased the translator, but dont see how to set up spanish and then change to french, can someone assist, thanks.
   Rosco10001

8. October 20, 2011 smersh Report this comment

   Purchased German/Eng; 2 days to download just the installer (actual app is huge) where Android market requires you to claim refund 15mins after purchase. App is so inaccurate and slow so totally useless. No response from LP or Google 12 days later :(

9. October 27, 2011 germanitas Report this comment

   PLEASE do Italian ‘subito’

10. November 6, 2011 magilla45 Report this comment

    Got the spanish version, but the dictionary only has words starting with A, and some of the translations are garbled..
    could use some clear operating intructions.
    Once I get the bugs worked out its going to be terrific.

11. November 10, 2011 jamesadams7 Report this comment

    Sounds great, but please make a Windows Phone version!

12. November 13, 2011 dwood1982 Report this comment

    Just downloaded the Spanish version from the Andorid Market & am getting an error message saying the key-app for this language pair is not up-to date. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

13. November 20, 2011 piccoleau Report this comment

    Any hopes for Bulgarian (for Android) before July, 2012?

14. December 14, 2011 jidens Report this comment

    I have the same problem as adventar. The Android app keeps telling me that I’m not speaking loud enough (my mic is working just fine). Anyone have a fix for this?

15. January 17, 2012 thcguy123 Report this comment

    Is this for LATIN AMERICAN spanish?

16. April 5, 2012 rbargyle Report this comment

    Same as problem mentioned. Keeps telling me that I’m not speaking loud enough. What’s the fix?

17. June 29, 2012 kos93 Report this comment

    I am stuck in france and I just bought this product. However, the translations take an abnormally long time. The application take about over a minute to open and all of the information takes at least five minutes to translate. I am SURE that this cannot possibly be the way the product is supposed to work because I do trust lonely planet and this application’s previous reviews seem to be quite alright. Could someone please help me out or could a professional kindly email me about this as soon as possible please? Perhaps it is just a faulty download or a freak accident. Thank you. best regards

18. December 6, 2012 nanapen Report this comment

    There’s another choice: iStone Travel Translation App, a voiced translator for offline instant use. And it has 12 languages include English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Korean, Portuguese and Thai.