Speaking Global Translator (TGA-490)
© 2007 Franklin Electronic Publishers
Just larger than a deck of cards, Franklin's top-of-the-line Speaking Global Translator (also known as the TGA-490) can make up lottery numbers, wake you up with an alarm clock, convert meters to feet, or order you sushi in 12 languages. The travel device, found at www.franklin.com ($230) uses a real voice — rather than a synthesized computer voice — to say typed words back and forth from English, Chinese (Mandarin), Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. According to Franklin, the database contains 450,000 words and 12,000 common phrases, such as, "Find me a doctor," or, "I'll have red wine, please." Other features include a world clock, an MP3 player, calculator, metric converter, and games such as Hangman, Quiz (tests your translation skills by showing a word or phrase, letting you guess the language), Magic Lottery (generates random sets of numbers), Memory (a game of concentration with cards), and Keyboard Wiz (a typing racing game). You can also use a built-in microphone to record voice memos to yourself. The 86 MB of onboard memory (not upgradable) provides the ability to store up to 300 minutes of audio. While the interface has improved significantly over prior Franklin devices, it still requires learning — and for some, a good pair of reading glasses. Even finding the recessed power switch is a challenge. The tiny QWERTY keyboard slides open below the screen. The battery is charged through your computer's USB port and will last for one week with normal translator use or six hours of MP3 play.
$230, Works with Windows
Teaches: languages: English, Chinese (Mandarin), Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Koreean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish