Another feature that would increase utility would be the option of saving a sentence or phrase so that if you later needed that translation again you could get it quickly without having to re-type it.

While we didn't have the linguistic skills to confidently evaluate each and every translation, we know enough of the other languages to know the translations weren't always perfect but would get the job done.

The grossest error we noted was the inexpert distinction between the verbs "ser" and "estar" in Spanish (both mean "to be" but are used in different contexts). If the software doesn't have a word in its dictionary, it keeps the original word in the translation, offsetting it with two # symbols. In many cases context would probably suffice to finish off the translation (as in the "hail" example below).

Here are some sample translations:

The train station is far away. You should hail a cab.
German: Der Bahnhof ist weit entfernt. Sollen Sie ##hail ein Taxi.
Spanish: La estación de tren es lejos. usted deber ##hail un taxi.
French: La station de train est loin. vous devriez grêler un taxi.

 

  I can't afford a taxi. What about a bus?
German: Ich kann ein Taxi nicht leisten. Wie um einen Bus?
Spanish: Yo no puedo afrontar un taxi. ¿Como sobre un autobus?
French: Je ne peux pas fournir un taxi. Comment près un autobus?

 

  My computer won't connect to the network.
German: Mein Computer wird mit dem Netz nicht verbinden.
Spanish: Mi computadora no conectará a la red.
French: Mon ordinateur ne reliera pas à le réseau.

 

  This is the best meal I've ever eaten!
German: Dieses ist das beste Essen, das Ich immer gegessen habe!
Spanish: ¡Esta es la major comida yo tengo siempre comido!
French: C'est le meilleur repas j'ai jamais manger!

 

  Is there any meat in this dish?
German: Gibt es irgendwelches Fleisch in diesem Geshirr?
Spanish: ¿Hay cualquier carne en este plato?
French: Est là toute viande dans ce plat?

 

  I am sick. I need to find a doctor.
German: Ich bin krank. Ich muss einen Arzt finden.
Spanish: Yo soy enfermo. Yo necesito a encontrar un doctor.
French: Je suis malade. Je requéris de trouver un docteur.

This package probably won't appeal to real students of the languages but it is perfect for a traveler with no knowledge of the host country's tongue. And while it beats looking up one word at a time in the dictionary, it's also handier than on-line translation options since you can use it even when you don't have cell or Wi-Fi access.

You can keep the translator running in the background. Depending on your device, you may be able to access it from a small globe icon on your Today screen or launcher bar. While the smartphone product is only available for Windows Mobile (either touch screen or not), Laiti says the company is looking into developing a BlackBerry version.