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It's nice if you don't have to use it much. Otherwise it's a device that makes all your communication lag, and you'te also putting a lot of faith in the transla

It's nice if you don't have to use it much. Otherwise it's a device that makes all your communication lag, and you'te also putting a lot of faith in the translation when you're alone in a foreign country. For ordering at a restaurant it's fine. For trying to find a way to go to the consulate because your bag was stolen, it's not ideal.

midasuni 3y ago
We coped with that decades ago before handhold computers with connection to enourmous global databases. Nowadays you just put the address into google/Apple/etc maps, or get an Uber.
- makeitdouble 3y ago
  I love Google Maps, and dealing with local transit is not its forte. Many countries also won't have Ubers, and/or you'll need a local credit card to use the taxi apps. Having a smartphone still helps a lot, I'd probably bet on actually reliable web resouces for standard help phrases
  - midasuni 3y ago
    Most cities where intercontinental tourists go to have Uber. And while I use Apple Maps rather than google I’ve used it in dozens of cities in dozens of countries on 6 continents with limited problems. Or of course I’ve just hailed taxied and shown them the hotel business card or location I’m going to. China is probably the main tricky part, last time I went about 5 years ago I had issues paying with cash, although at least visa was accepted pretty much everywhere.
    - makeitdouble 3y ago
      Japan doesn't have Uber, neither does Thailand. Korea also kicked Uber in 2022. Basically, the shenanigans they pulled to get a foothold in the local markets didn't work everywhere. You'll find local alternatives, but that means local account registration etc.
      - mikhailfranco 3y ago
        Thailand has Bolt in some locations, but in many places there are ferocious tuk-tuk mafias that enforce high rates.
nikau 3y ago
I've had no issues with google translate, there is a conversation mode where each person can just tap a button, speak into it, and it converts speech to text and then translates. Sure you wont want to have a nuanced philosophical discussion, but you can easily have a conversation with it.

midasuni 3y ago

We coped with that decades ago before handhold computers with connection to enourmous global databases. Nowadays you just put the address into google/Apple/etc maps, or get an Uber.

makeitdouble 3y ago
I love Google Maps, and dealing with local transit is not its forte. Many countries also won't have Ubers, and/or you'll need a local credit card to use the taxi apps. Having a smartphone still helps a lot, I'd probably bet on actually reliable web resouces for standard help phrases
- midasuni 3y ago
  Most cities where intercontinental tourists go to have Uber. And while I use Apple Maps rather than google I’ve used it in dozens of cities in dozens of countries on 6 continents with limited problems. Or of course I’ve just hailed taxied and shown them the hotel business card or location I’m going to. China is probably the main tricky part, last time I went about 5 years ago I had issues paying with cash, although at least visa was accepted pretty much everywhere.
  - makeitdouble 3y ago
    Japan doesn't have Uber, neither does Thailand. Korea also kicked Uber in 2022. Basically, the shenanigans they pulled to get a foothold in the local markets didn't work everywhere. You'll find local alternatives, but that means local account registration etc.
    - mikhailfranco 3y ago
      Thailand has Bolt in some locations, but in many places there are ferocious tuk-tuk mafias that enforce high rates.

nikau 3y ago

I've had no issues with google translate, there is a conversation mode where each person can just tap a button, speak into it, and it converts speech to text and then translates. Sure you wont want to have a nuanced philosophical discussion, but you can easily have a conversation with it.