Pleco 2.2 Chinese Dictionary uses iPhone camera to translate text in real time (video)
By Thomas Ricker 
posted August 16th 2010 5:42AM
posted August 16th 2010 5:42AM
Can't say we've heard of the Pleco Chinese Dictionary app prior to today even though it's been around for two full version releases. Of course, we've seen plenty of Google Goggle-like smartphone apps that can snap pictures and then convert the image to text using optical character recognition (OCR) -- something that can be incredibly useful when important stacks of business cards. Pleco 2.2, however, is one of the first apps we've seen that can translate text in real time using the live image presented on your phone's camera display. The new feature, targeted for release in September, requires iOS 4 and should work with either the iPhone 4 or older 3GS. Sure, you might not need this app every day, but it might just be the difference between ordering chop suey or a thousand-year old egg garnished with a side of stinky tofu. See it in action after the break.
Well now THIS I want for Japanese kanji on Android!! :D
Angerthas! :D
Pleco is absolutely amazing software. I'm an avid Chinese studier, and use it all the time. I sold my soul to Apple and got the iPhone 4 primarily so I could use the app.
@v0rt Pleco rocks! Anyone studying Chinese should at least invest in an iPod touch just so they can have Pleco.
This is a great looking app! It could allow the table at the local McChinese joint, thats all classless and covered in gold letters, to be deciphered. Seriously tho' great job Dev.
Re: "Can't say we've heard of the Pleco Chinese Dictionary app prior to today even though it's been around for two full version releases."
This dictionary app has existed for a long time - it came out originally for the Palm OS platform, I think in 2002 or so. The developer eventually made a version for Windows Mobile as well. The iOS version of the app only came out some time in 2009. The company is very good in that you can transfer your licenses from platform to platform as you upgrade your devices.
Per one of the devloper's newsletters, apparently an Android version of the app is being considered; but no idea when that would actually be available.
@daninbusiness The company is fantastic. It's nice to deal with real people now and again, and Mike's always been helpful.
Pleco is the Ferrari of mobile Chinese software with fantastic licensed works no one else has in addition to well executed features. I've been a user since 2003 or so on my crappy Palm T|T. Spent a ton and it was worth every penny and I bought a new dictionary bundle a few months ago.
One step closer to a universal translator.
Im really not trying to start one of THOSE discussions, or arguments or whatever you would want to label it, but is does this really belong on Engadget? This is the third app only review post i have seen lately, and its iPhone only. Shouldn't this be on the mobile site at best? I can understand wanting to cover ground breaking new apps, but a game where you climb over things, a kanji dictionary app, and a Facebook privacy app (are you kidding me engadget??) are not news worthy, it makes you look like you are blogging for the purpose of advertising. This is filler writing, or at least i hope it is.
That's awesome. I hope it can support different languages in the future.
Is that a Mandarin version of the Lord of the Rings? "His real name is Aragon" is on the top line of characters.
@darkmax Yep, and the passage being translated is the famous "All that is gold does not glitter" poem from Gandalf's letter to Frodo and the boys. (originally thought about doing "One ring to rule them all..." but the translation for that is pretty awful while 金字未必都闪光／游民未必是流氓 is reasonably poetic at least [it even rhymes]).
use this in a chinese resturant, to double check whether they had the right translation.
Let's get a Japanese / French / Latin Version of this!1
That is pretty awesome.
Were actually on the right present, so many of our ideas will set the future. Wicht really means that there is a lot prototypes and apps that are still in progress. This is just a sample.
Now all of you with Chinese lettered tattoos can find out what it really means now....