Apple Launches Sign Language Interpreting Program

Among numerous accessibility updates, Apple launched SignTime earlier this week, a program designed to make AppleCare and Retail Customer Care easier to use for deaf and hard-of-hearing iOS users. In a news release, Apple announced that SignTime currently features interpreting options for American Sign Language, British Sign Language, and French Sign Language, however the company plans to make more sign languages available on the platform in the future. In addition to SignTime, Apple also stated that it was updating its VoiceOver technology and its Made for iPhone hearing aids.

New Vice President of Operations joins GLOBO

The Philadelphia-based language services provider (LSP) GLOBO announced that it has hired Elizabeth Robeck as the company’s new vice president of operations. Robeck is joining GLOBO after working with UnitedHealth Group for 20 years — there, she worked as a program director and project manager, and also worked on the company’s acquisitions and merger initiatives. She joins GLOBO at a pivotal time for the company, which saw significant levels of growth in 2020. 

iTourTranslator Provides Real-Time Translation of Voice and Video Calls

A new translation app, iTourTranslator, allows for users to easily communicate in two different languages over their cell phone, landline, or video calls. As a caller speaks, their language is simultaneously translated into the listener’s language, and a text-to-speech system will read the target language text aloud, simulating the interpreting process. The app currently supports more than 15 languages, including English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Thai.