If you thought the only good translator on the Internet was Google Translate, then you were wrong. Microsoft has long been developing its Microsoft Translator, which received a new update a month ago that introduced regional highlights to the app on iOS and Android.
It is a very good add-on. People from different parts of the world use different accents. American English sounds different from British English and completely different from Australian English. The same goes for Spanish, Portuguese, and many other accents.
A Microsoft blog post clearly states that it has added regional accents to the Microsoft Translator app for iOS and Android and has now enabled you to choose the text-to-speech accent you want to hear while using the app. In that same blog post, Microsoft describes how regional accents can drastically change the language listening experience. Now, when you want to hear your translation and, for example, present it to an interlocutor from another country, you can choose the right accent that will provide you with more effective communication.
Microsoft has provided steps to access the new feature:
- Choose the language of your choice
- Select “Speech Region”
- Select a region
- Select one of the voices available from that region
Let’s explore the differences between Google Translate and Microsoft Translator…
Interface
All Google programs have a simple design with a clean white background, including Google Translate. With a few more options at the bottom, you can choose your input and output languages right away. Settings, offline translation, and a phrasebook are all available via the sidebar menu. For new users, there is a helpful tour option. It is tidy and practical.
For several languages, Microsoft uses a subtle but colorful layout that starts with Hello. The translation options are at the bottom, while the three-dot menu symbol is at the top. Unlike Google Translate, where text translation is available immediately, you must first tap the keyboard symbol in Translator. That is the cost (even though a small one) of having a cool user interface.
Languages
Google Translate has existed for quite some time. It currently supports 109 languages, whereas Microsoft Translator only supports 60. However, the language you want to translate and how you want to translate (via text, voice, image, or in real-time) will determine the outcome.
Only 43 of the 109 languages supported by Translate provide bilingual text translation, while image translation is limited to 37, and voice in conversation mode is limited to 32. You will need to pick a translation app based on the language you will be translating and how you will be translating it.
Special Features
Multiple persons speaking various languages can enter a room by scanning a code, which is a unique feature of Microsoft Translator. They can all interact with each other once they are inside, allowing for multilingual group talks.
Google Translate, on the other hand, displays the definitions of words whenever you come across something you don’t understand. In both programs, you will enjoy how you can switch between two languages for input and output. For instance, English to Spanish and vice versa.
Both apps support their respective AI virtual assistants, which is Cortana in Microsoft’s case and Assistant in Google’s case. Both translation apps allow you to keep your favorite translations in a phrasebook for subsequent use.
Platforms
Google Translate and Microsoft Translator are both fully free to use and don’t contain any advertisements. Google Translate works on all major platforms, including Android, iOS, and the web, as well as smart devices such as Google Home via Assistant. It also provides a paid API that is used by a large number of developers in their apps and websites. When it comes to websites, you may easily translate full web pages or parts of them using browser extensions.
Microsoft Translator works on Windows 10 desktops and supports Apple Watch, in addition to Android, iOS, and the web. WearOS is supported by both translator applications for Android smartwatches. Are you delivering a presentation? Add-ons allow Translator to work with other Microsoft Office products, like PowerPoint. Outlook and the Edge browser are two other apps that are supported. Microsoft also has an API, but it doesn’t appear to be as popular as Google’s.
Of course, don’t fully rely on neither of these two translators when starting a website for specialized niches, such as e.g. for gambling. In this case, opt to hire services that translate casino websites and content in SEO-friendly matter. The websites that have successfully done that are top-rated among players.
Conclusion
While the majority of people use Google Translate, we can see why Microsoft Translator is becoming more popular. Conversations mode’s capacity to communicate with a group of people is a huge plus. Furthermore, that UI is both attractive and functional. This is not to imply Google Translate is not useful. Although it remains the king of translation apps, the search engine behemoth will now have to take a more proactive approach. In this space, the rivalry is heating up, and Microsoft is hoping to unseat the leader.