Pardon? Testing Google's speedy translation tool

Google has announced a significant upgrade to its Translate app. The search giant says it can now, almost instantaneously, interpret and translate between seven languages.

Google says the app can even translate text - such as on a menu or road sign - without the need for a data connection.

Microsoft recently released its own translation tool for Skype which allows for conversations between people speaking different languages to happen in almost real-time.

The BBC's technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones gave the Google app a trial run - and asked the firm if it was catching up with its rivals.

Read more: Google Translate 'turns interpreter' with voice function

Video journalist: Dave Lee