If learning a new language through Rosetta Stone proved too difficult, a new gadget offers an easier solution for real-time language translation.
Sigmo, which translates speech into 25 different languages, relies on a Bluetooth connection with your smartphone to process the translation from the cloud. That translation is then played aloud through Sigmo's speaker. Simply set your native language and the desired language into the companion app, which works for Android and iOS devices.
Sigmo's dependence on a data connection could be a potential hitch in dire situations. But the company is trying to make voice vocabulary available for download for offline use. The device's battery reportedly lasts for eight hours in conversation mode or for 300 hours of standby time.
Supported languages include English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Hebrew and Arabic.
Its Indiegogo campaign looks to raise $15,000 in hopes of turning the language translation gadget into mass production. At the time of writing, supporters had pledged about $1,800, with 54 days left to go. Backers can get a Sigmo for as little as $40 with estimated delivery in January.