The future is now.

that is so awesome.

Damn. Awesome.

Too bad it doesn't work anything like the videos.

Translations are about 50/50 on whether they make sense, it can only read large, easy to read text (like headlines and large street signs), it is NOT free ($5 for each language, in ONE direction. Soon to be raised to $10!), and it doesn't always replace text properly.

Frankly, Google Goggles has allowed people to take pictures of text and translate it for a while now, which although it isn't augmented reality-style, it is pretty fast, far more accurate, FREE, works with tons of languages (even non-latin based), and doesn't have as much trouble reading text. Oh, and you don't need an iPhone.

I never said it was free? And honestly, if I was going on a trip, I would pay $50 for something like this. (It's all local, so no 3G or roaming charges)

It does word-to-word translation (for now), as opposed to phrases and contextual. It won't translate it perfectly, but honestly it's enough to give you an idea of what it's talking about. It's also the first release, so expect it to get better.

No android = fail.

They like to advertise it as free, when in reality you download the app with no language packs, and have to purchase them individually.

I'm just saying, it'd have to get a lot better to beat Google Goggles.

incredible...absolutely astounding technology

Matty is on the rag again. I just tried it; it's great. My brother just bought it for his iPod touch. It's a $4.99 app. It's not perfect, but it gives "gisted" translation. It can't read even small fonts. The trick is that you have to hold still.

Ars Technica pretty much said what I said word for word though, besides "oh it's augmented reality, so that's cool, BUT". Besides, it's just a toy compared to a superior free service, so I don't find the money justified.

The singularity is near.