Israeli communications company Lexifone, developer of automatic translation services for phone calls, has launched Lexifone 2. According to the company, the translation software is capable of producing simultaneous, real-time translations of phone conversations.
Lexifone’s service allows two people to speak in two different languages over the telephone, while each person hears the conversation in his or her own language. In the older version of the service, users had to say each sentence and wait for the translation, and to signal when they wanted to switch the translation “direction.” Now, Lexifone 2 allows each person to speak fluently, and the translation begins automatically when he or she finishes speaking (after 2 seconds, or so). Lexifone also listens to both speakers, and translates for each separately, even if they are speaking simultaneously.
The new version shortens translation time, and allows the translated conversation to flow more naturally. Lexifone 2 translates between English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Chinese, Russian, and Hebrew was recently added as well. Lexifone CEO and founder Dr. Ike Sagie said: “Our goal will always be to get as close as possible to translated conversation that accurately simulates conversation in the speaker’s language.”
Lexifone recently closed a €2 million deal with French communication company SFR. SFR has 20 million private subscribers and one million corporate subscribers. Lexifone’s service is intended for the corporate subscribers. The service will allow them to converse with people who do not speak French, and will make it easier for them to conduct business.
Lexifone was founded by Sagie in 2010, and has raised $3 million.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 19, 2013
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