Google Maps has launched a translation
service through Google Translate.
Its maps now help users navigate a
place by speaking out a destination’s name and address it in the local language.
Travelers can use a newly added speaker
button next to the place’s name and address, and Google Maps will say it out
loud.
For a more in depth conversation, the
service links users to Google Translate.
The company says it’s using
text-to-speech technology to detect what language a phone is using to then
determine what a user might need help in translating.
The feature is being rolled out in
November on iOS and Android devices with support for 50 languages initially and
more to be added going forward.
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Google Maps also plans to pilot a Local
Guides service whereby top guides across nine cities will appear in a user’s "For
You" tab.
Users can then follow these guides and
be presented with ideas on places to go and things to see within Google Maps.
The nine cities include London, New
York, San Francisco and Tokyo.