IT IS a phone that translates text from English to Mandarin and vice versa.

With its built-in 3-megapixel camera, you can scan individual words and characters. The phone displays their meaning and can even read out the translated text to you.

The touchscreen also allows you to input Chinese characters, both in complex and simplified form. The adaptive software learns your handwriting style, so you can scribble away after extended use.

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This article was first published in Digital Life, The Straits Times on Oct 29, 2008.