After Google Translate passed the bar of 200 million monthly users last week (see here), it surely is no coincidence that Gmail announced 3 new features today, including… automatic message translation.
This feature originally comes from Gmail Labs (for those not familiar with the concept, Gmail Labs allow users to test gadget features on their own Gmail before they become standard features or disappear) and has been such a hit among users (particularly Business Apps users) that it is now an official, standard add-on on Gmail.
Below is the official announcement from Jeff Chin, Product Manager at Google Translate
Say hello (or olá or halo or salam) to automatic message translation in Gmail
“We’re excited to announce three Gmail Labs graduations today: Automatic Message Translation, Smart Mute and Title Tweaks.
Automatic Message Translation
Did you ever dream about a future where your communications device could transcend language with ease? Well, that day is a lot closer. Back when we launched automatic message translation in Gmail Labs, we were curious to see how people would use it.
We heard immediately from Google Apps for Business users that this was a killer feature for working with local teams across the world. Some people just wanted to easily read newsletters from abroad. Another person wrote in telling us how he set up his mom’s Gmail to translate everything into her native language, thus saving countless explanatory phone calls (he thanked us profusely). I continue to use it to participate in discussions with the global Google offices I often visit.
Since message translation was one of the most popular labs, we decided it was time to graduate from Gmail Labs and move into the real world. Over the next few days, everyone who uses Gmail will be getting the convenience of translation added to their email. The next time you receive a message in a language other than your own, just click on Translate message in the header at the top of the message, and it will be instantly translated into your language.”
Read more on the Official Gmail blog here.
I hope that the system will work the way it ought, because although being fluent inFerman, and English being my mother tongue, sometimes I do not feel like reaching for my dictionary which I keep at hand! I will test it when I see it on my gmail site!
Seems like the system is still in Beta, so I expect there will be some flaws in the next months :)
That is what I have noticed, so I expect the same as you! I am not a fan of MT, but I am willing to use it now and then, and then check my dictionary! I hope to be able to go to the German Book Fair which is held in October! Google wanted to change the Gmail inbox heading, but I have not seen it yet!