Apple Computer and a Taiwanese notebook manufacturer have created a voice-based Chinese-English translator aimed at Taiwanese Web surfers.
The product, Dr Eye Pro 2.1, was developed by Apple and Inventec, uses Apple's Plain Talk voice synthesis technology and Inventec's electronic dictionary.
Most Internet content is still in English. Apple official Josie Chiou said the voice-based translator, which can translate from English to Chinese and vice versa, would speed up surfing for non-native English speakers.
'Using a dictionary is very slow, but they can use this to immediately look up new words they encounter on the Web,' Ms Chiou said.
Apple had found Hong Kong and Singapore users did not have the same difficulties with English, but the product obviously had potential on the mainland.
Ms Chiou and Inventec officials said it was too early to say whether the translator could be sold on the mainland, where authorities often are wary of Taiwan-sourced software.