Following the successful launch of the six free Talking Mobile Phrase Books for Nokia and Sony Ericsson cell phones in May earlier this year, software developers Coolgorilla have today announced an all-in-one version of the talking phrase books for Apples new iPhone.

Sponsored by online travel and leisure retailer lastminue.com the iPhone Translator is a completely free service providing travellers with both text and audio translations in French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and German with a Greek version to follow shortly. Simply select your required language and phrase and the iPhone translator will display a written translation on screen along with a native audio translation provided by a professional voice-over artist.

As the first product of it’s kind for the iPhone it is also a pioneering move from lastminute.com to use the device as a way of engaging customers through value added advertising.

Easy to use, the iPhone translator requires the user to select the required target language and then provides a structured menu system much like a standard phrase book. Simply find your required phrase, press select the iPhone then “speaks” the phrase using the recordings of real, native voice-over artists and also supplies a text translation on screen.

Quicker and easier than a standard phrasebook, the added functionality of audio translations means you can be sure of your pronunciation before attempting to speak the lingo or should you wish, just play the recipient the translation through the phones’ speaker

Mark McCulloch, Head of Brand Development of lastminute.com said, “lastminute.com are dedicated to providing travellers with additional products that will enhance their holiday experience. Our range of translators & phrase books are fun to use and will keep you in favour with the locals!”

Roy Forsdick, Managing Director of iDev Entertainment AKA Coolgorilla added, “As part of our ongoing mission to provide free quality translation tools to the increasing number of mobile surfers, developing an iPhone version was a must.”