Instant word translations without an internet connection with Word Lens

I always talk about how technology exists to make our lives easier. Well, the folks behind the Word Lens app have set the bar at a whole new level.

If you haven't heard of Word Lens in the last few days, it's an app that will translate words on the fly from English to Spanish or Spanish to English. When you watch the promotional video below, you'll think that there are some camera tricks involved, but it really does work that well. The most amazing part about the technology is that it's all built into the app--there's no need to be connected to the internet.

I tried out Word Lens on a number of occasions and for the most part, it performs exactly as the video shows below. It's not perfect all of the time, but if you read the FAQ you'll pick up some quick tips that will guarantee success.

Word Lens is one of those apps that's moments away from acquisition. There are a number of translation companies out there that are looking for a key differentiator. Unless the tech is super easy to reproduce, I would bet that we'll see this app acquired before the end of the first quarter of 2011.

One more thing: watch this video below of the founder talking about what inspired him to create the app. It's a perfect example of how anyone can solve a problem if they put their mind to it.