Microsoft adds speech input capabilities to Bing Translator on Windows

 

Microsoft introduced new updates to Bing Translator for Windows and Windows Phone apps. The tech company brings speech-to-speech functionality from Windows Phone app to the Windows app to let you speak into your device with the microphone and have the app answer you back in the native speaker’s accent. You can also now use your device’s camera in portrait and landscape to take a shot of text and have the app translate the words in the language you select.

Meanwhile, the Bing Translator for Windows Phone received improvement when it comes to speech features in order to improve the quality and “responsiveness” of the translations. The UI for the offline language packs has also been revamped.

CES 2014: Intel pushing for 'dual OS' platform shared by Windows and Android

One of the emerging trends this year at CES 2014 are devices and PCs that can run Google's Android OS and Microsoft's Windows OS side-by-side or simultaneously.

Intel, whose new Atom processors are powerful enough to run Windows 8.1 and legacy PC apps can apparently run Android on the same devices, which means either a bonanza of versatility for owners of these devices or a messy problem looking for a solution. Intel's just shown off a slate during their keynote that can change from Android tablet to Windows 8 tablet with a switch of a button. Asus has similarly unveiled a notebook that can switch operating systems as well. While this is exciting news and speaks to the level of engineering as well as the processing power of these new devices, questions on whether this will lead to confusion or more fragmentation cannot be avoided. Also, imagine the number of software and app updates you'll have to go through with these dual OS devices. 

Lumia 2520 Windows tablet imminent as per recent leaks

Nokia World is taking place in Abu Dhabi on November 22nd and looks like we're slated to see a Windows 8 tablet among other things. Serial Twitter  tipster @evleaks has revealed a render of the purported Lumia 2520, which is the first Windows powered tablet from Espoo, Finland and something the company had likely been working on before Microsoft acquired Nokia's mobile business.

Nokia already makes the best Windows Phone smartphones in the market so its entry into the tablet space is interesting specially since Microsoft recently launched the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 devices. Where will the Lumia 2520 (pictured above in Cyan but also leaked elsewhere in Red) fit in terms of specs and pricing? All will be revealed soon enough.

Source: @evleaks

First look at Nokia's Lumia 1020 with National Geographic's Stephen Alvarez

Text and photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Nokia's Lumia 1020 is the latest Windows Phone 8 flagship that improves on last year's Lumia 920 by slimming it down but also adding an improved 41 Megapixel sensor from the PureView 808. Nokia Canada showed off the new smartphone, features and accessories today with the help of National Geographic photographer Stephen Alvarez who took the Lumia 1020 on an amazing photoshoot in the American West.

Click to read more ...