Hein63 Posted June 30, 2011 at 01:15 PM Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 at 01:15 PM To me a handheld electronic dictionary seems to be a very useful gadget. With a stylus one could write/copy a certain character on the screen. Translation and pronounciation then could be activated. When I was recently in China, I found quite a few of them in book-stores. But, they varied substantially in price and possibilities. My interest goes for a dictionary which could handle Chinese, Dutch, Japanese, English (and perhaps a few more W-European languages), and would allow direct cross-overs (by this I mean Dutch-Japanese, Dutch-Chinese, English Chinese, English-Japanese a.s.o.) In the end I did not buy any because of their limitations. Most had Chinese as core language, and cross-overs where not possible. Would appreciate other members opinion on these devices. Are there any outstanding brands? At affordable prices? [i am not sure whether I am in the right Forum with this question] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post langxia Posted June 30, 2011 at 01:40 PM Popular Post Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 at 01:40 PM If you own an iphone (ipod touch) or an android phone you should have a look at the pleco software at www.pleco.com I studied chinese one year without it, and now I wouldn't want to miss it anymore . I think I am not the only forum user that will tell you this ;) 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley Posted June 30, 2011 at 07:18 PM Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 at 07:18 PM Hello, I would agree 100% with langxia. If you have a smart phone or PDA you will not regret getting pleco. The basic bundle is very reasonably priced and you can always add to it later. It does what you mentioned and loads more. try the free demo, this does not allow character input but showes you how it all works. the full program has character input with stylus, flashcards, stroke order practice and more. Enjoy Shelley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xianhua Posted June 30, 2011 at 10:04 PM Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 at 10:04 PM On my last visit to China I also looked into purchasing a handheld electronic dictionary. I discovered that prices were a tad on the steep side and couldn't find much for under 600 RMB (the ones with character recognition were even higher). On my return home, I therefore decided to invest in a Samsung Galaxy Mini (Android) smartphone for £100. Having downloaded two free Apps, Hanzi Recognizer and Hanping dictionary, I am now able to carry out all I would have required from a handheld dictionary plus much more, for example, the underground map Apps proved very useful in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murrayjames Posted July 1, 2011 at 02:56 AM Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 at 02:56 AM Yes, Pleco. Now available on Android. Short of marrying someone Chinese, it's the best language investment you could make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gato Posted July 1, 2011 at 03:22 AM Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 at 03:22 AM I heard that it's better than marrying someone Chinese. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny同志 Posted July 1, 2011 at 03:31 AM Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 at 03:31 AM Short of marrying someone Chinese, it's the best language investment you could make. Do you guys marry a Chinese woman merely for the sake of learning Chinese instead of love? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted July 1, 2011 at 04:20 AM Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 at 04:20 AM Or alternatively, do you make jokes. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Members honso Posted July 1, 2011 at 06:38 AM New Members Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 at 06:38 AM For android handwriting, try MultiLing keyboard + handwriting plugin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian US Posted July 1, 2011 at 12:33 PM Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 at 12:33 PM I had to do a little searching, but here is the free pleco version for android: http://www.pleco.com/androidbeta.html#getit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hein63 Posted July 1, 2011 at 05:41 PM Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 at 05:41 PM A lot of good information!! Thank you all for providing it. Galaxy Mini plus the mentioned (free) apps will make my life much easier, and hopefully increase considerably my Mandarin language skills. [Perhaps not appropriate to bring this up on this forum, but does anybody also has experience/advice on apps with Korean and/or Japanese dictionary?] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imron Posted July 1, 2011 at 09:33 PM Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 at 09:33 PM Consider starting a new thread in the other cultures and language sub-form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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