FAQ & Support

I’m Nori Matsuda, CEO of Sourcenext®, the makers of Pocketalk™. We created Pocketalk to make it easy to have a conversation with someone who speaks a different language. I believe that the simple act of conversation can bring people closer together, and open a world of possibilities for society as a whole.

Sourcenext (a public company traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, 4344:JP) is the largest distributor and creator of software, hardware, and IoT products in Japan. Founded in 1996, Sourcenext specializes in helping companies like Rosetta Stone, Dropbox, and Evernote, sell their software products and apps to a market of millions. And now with the launch of Pocketalk, Sourcenext is bringing its own products to the world. Through its expertise in user experience, marketing, and customer support, Sourcenext has earned the trust and respect of partners, retailers, and consumers around the world. Visit https://us.sourcenext.com/ for more information.

Pocketalk^TM is the portable, AI-powered instant voice translation device that breaks down language barriers and bridges the gap between different spoken languages. It is one single device supporting 74 languages and more coming

Because it translates long sentences, Pocketalk is great for travelling and business—it’s the easy way to have a conversation with someone who speaks a different language. We also hear of people using Pocketalk for language learning.

The box includes the Pocketalk device, a USB Type-C charger cable, and the User Guide.

Pocketalk needs connection to the internet. Pocketalk accesses online translation engines to provide the most accurate translations possible. These engines continue to get more accurate all the time.

You have various options to connect:

• Carrier Coverage: Connecting to carrier provider’s networks will provide you a broader coverage range with no hassles of continually entering WiFi passwords.
• WiFi or personal hotspot: You can also connect to WiFi or a personal hotspot on your phone.

The easiest solution is to buy our “built-in mobile data” version of Pocketalk. This comes with 2 years of unlimited data included just for an additional $50 up-front. No monthly fees. Turn on the device and travel in 126 countries / regions (as of Feb. 2019). Once your initial 2 years of data are up, you will have the option to renew; enter a SIM card of your own; connect via personal hotspot, or connect via WiFi.

If you buy the “add your own mobile data” version, then you can add a SIM card for carrier coverage, or connect via WiFi or personal hotspot. We recommend buying the “Pocketalk Global SIM Card from Soracom” which is sold on our website because it’s the only SIM card supported by us.

All 74 languages are on the device once connected to the internet!

One device. 74 languages. Bi-directional conversations.

There is no need to download individual language files at all.

Pocketalk is very easy to use once you have the hang of it. On the Home screen, just choose your two languages (tap on language name to get a list of other languages to choose from). Once your two languages are chosen, then just use the two “talk buttons” or physical buttons just below. One person uses the button under their language and the other person uses the button under their language.

To operate, press and hold the button the entire time you are speaking. When finished, let go of the button and Pocketalk will provide the translation. Be sure to initially wait for the Pocketalk beep sound before speaking

No. An internet connection is required using WiFi, mobile data, or a personal hotspot. That’s because Pocketalk relies on robust language engines and cutting-edge cloud technologies to carry out its highly accurate translations.

No. The “built-in mobile data” version of Pocketalk comes with a SIM card already built-in. It’s ready to work out of the box. Simply turn on Pocketalk, and the mobile data will automatically connect to the internet.

The Pocketalk Global SIM Card by Soracom currently works in 126 countries (as of February 2019). Full list found here.

This of course does not mean that you will get service everywhere within the country. It just means that it is supported in areas of the country. As you are aware, carrier service cannot be found in all places.

We have all encountered mobile data connections being poor in certain areas. If this happens, we encourage looking for a local WiFi to connect to or connecting to a personal hotspot on your phone. Sometimes WiFi can offer a stronger and faster connection than a mobile data connection through a carrier.

Pocketalk currently supports 74 languages with more being added. Full language list can be found here.

We count a supported language as a language that has the ability for voice input into Pocketalk.

For example, although Samoan is listed as a language in device (for translated text output only), we do not count this as one of our 74 supported languages because Pocketalk does not support Samoan language voice input.

See below the entire Languages List

Pocketalk accesses various online translation engines to provide the most accurate translations. These engines continue to have Artificial Intelligence run in the background to further improve accuracy of speech recognition and translations. Using Pocketalk next time could provide an even more accurate experience.

Pocketalk does not learn your specific voice or patterns of speech.

Full details on warranty can be found at https://www.pocketalk.net/warranty-guarantee/.

Yes, we do have accessories available from our eShop – such as:

• Screen protector
• Pouch – to hold your Pocketalk and accessories
• Protective Case
• Lanyard

The battery last for a full 7 hours of talking. Or if put into sleep mode with a full battery, it will last for 10 days!

Our end-user license agreement (EULA) limits the use of one Pocketalk per company.

If you would like to use more than one Pocketalk for your business, please contact us at info@pocketalk.net to learn more.

Pocketalk provides the most accurate translations possible because it accesses the latest translation engine every time it’s used. But, we do realize there are times when transcriptions may not be fully accurate.

There is quite a bit of work done each time Pocketalk is used. First, your voice audio is transcribed into text, then the text is translated into another language, then that is again changed into an audio format.

If you feel that a translation did not go through correct, please first check to see if Pocketalk heard what you said correctly by checking your language transcription on the device.

• If the transcription is incorrect, please try re-saying the phrase/sentence.
• If Pocketalk did transcribe properly, maybe try rephrasing your statements in another way.

There’s nothing you need to do to notify us of incorrect translations. The language engines used are continually becoming more accurate.

Pocketalk is designed for conversations. Speak the way you normally do, in full sentences, not statements. Pocketalk can handle up to 30 seconds of speaking per translation.

• Volume – adjusts the volume of the sounds and audio readouts.
• Sleep Settings – puts device to sleep to help preserve battery life.
• Text Size – adjusts the size of the texts on screen.
• System Language – the language for the device use itself.
• Brightness level – adjusts the brightness of the device screen.
• Clear translation history – removes all past translations from device.
• Restore factory settings – resets device to factory settings, but keeps latest software version installed on device.

Yes, Pocketalk can store up to 10,000 translations. Simply scroll up and down the timeline to view past translations, and tap on the translations to have them read out again.

Yep. Pocketalk is compatible with Bluetooth® 4.0, so you can connect to speakers that support Bluetooth. Connecting external speakers via Bluetooth might be useful if you want much higher volumes on the audio output. Please note that Pocketalk does not come equipped with any audio jacks.

Two years from the time of initial activation. Your built-in mobile data will automatically launch when you turn on Pocketalk for the first time.

After the two years, if you would like to continue using the the built-in data for your mobile data connections, you will need to renew your data plan. We plan to offer the renewals at $50 per year. The detailed procedure for how this renewal will be carried out is yet to be decided, but we will update the information on our website.

Or you are free to install a SIM card of your own (note that only the SIM card sold by us is supported). Or you can connect to WiFi or a personal hotspot.

Yes. You can purchase your own SIM card and install.

But we instead suggest buying the “Pocketalk Global SIM Card by Soracom” from our website because that is the only SIM card supported by us.

As you continue to use Pocketalk, it stores a history of your translations – simply scroll through the list to see past translations. If you want, you can press and hold on a translation to mark any as “Favorite” translation. A star then appears on the Home Screen to easily recall your favorite translations for quick use.

Up to 500 Favorite translations can be stored and they will remain until you choose to delete them. Be careful! If you “clear translation history”, your Favorites will also be removed.

All statements are passed through to the large language engines to be translated. These engines do utilize the statements for optimizing their accuracy – the more voice input they receive, the more accurate their engines become.

No statements you enter into Pocketalk can be directly tied back to you.

Note that translations are stored on the Pocketalk device and in Pocketalk Center. These can be cleared at anytime you desire.

Product Specifications

Processor

ARM Cortex53 Quad-Core 1.3GHz

Operating System

Custom OS (based on Android OS 8.1)

ROM

8GB

RAM

1GB

Display Screen

Touch Panel / 320×240 pixels

Battery

Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery (2200 mAh)

Speaker

Two Built-in Speakers (1.5 Watts)

Mic

Dual Microphones with Noise Cancellation

Mobile Data

3G (W-CDMA) / 4G (FDD-LTE)

SIM Card Slot

nano-SIM (Sourcenext ® SIMs only)

embedded SIM

Only available in “eSIM” (data plan) models

Frequency Bands

W-CDMA:BAND1/2/5/6/19
FDD-LTE:BAND1/2/8/19/28b

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 4.0

Wi-Fi

802.11a/b/n/g
2.4GHz/5GHz

Operating Temperature

32°F to 113°F

Standby Temperature

-4°F to 140°F

Battery Charging Port

USB Type-C

Operating TemperaturCharge Voltage (device)

up to 5V

Charge Electrical Current (device)

0.5A～2.4A

Charge Voltage (cable)

up to 5V

Charge Electrical Current (cable)

0.5A～2.0A

Battery Life (Standby)*1

approx. 240 hours (4G LTE areas)

Battery Life *2

approx. 7 hour

Time till Fully Charged (average)*3

approx. 135 minutes

Weight

approx. 3.5 ounces

Size

approx. 4.3 × 2.4 × 0.6 inches

Strap hole

Available (strap not included)

Package Contents

1) POCKETALK Device
2) User Manual
3) USB Type-C charging cable (Type-C to Type-A)

*1 : Approximate battery life in standby state, when device left in areas with 4G LTE reception available. Note that battery life may vary depending on environments and device settings.

*2 : Approximate battery life when 5 minutes of translations carried out in 10 minute intervals (brightness: 50%, volume: 50%). Note that battery life may vary depending on environments and device settings.

*3 : When connected to 5V 1.8A outlets. Note that time may vary depending on environment and types of outlets / cables used.

Unfortunately, we are currently selling and shipping Pocketalk to only the U.S. from our website (pocketalk.net)

If you live outside the U.S. and would like to purchase from overseas, please visit the below website:
INTERNATIONAL ORDERS

If you live in Japan, you can purchase the product from the below website:
pocketalk.jp

Right here!

2019.07.18 – Release Notes (Software Version 2.9.06 / 0.4.2; Firmware Version 3.0.2; File Size: 170MB)

• Updated software to latest version.
• Improved the overall stability of translations.

2019.06.25 – Release Notes (Software Version 2.9.01 / 0.4.2; Firmware Version 2.0.6; File Size: 156MB)

• Improved the audio readouts for the following languages: Italian, Korean, Cantonese, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), German.

2019.05.30 – Release Notes (Software Version 2.8.02 / 0.4.2; Firmware Version 2.0.6; File Size: 106MB)

• Optimized the starting point of the voice recognition.

2019.05.15 – Release Notes (Software Version 2.7.01 / 0.4.2; Firmware Version 2.0.6; File Size: 106MB)

• Audio readout quality for Catalan, Croatian and Tamil enhanced.
• Improved the translation accuracy for Cantonese to Japanese.
• Improved the translation accuracy for Cantonese to English.

2019.04.10 – Release Notes (Software Version 2.5.01 / 0.4.2; Firmware Version 2.0.6)

• Changed the fonts used for Thai translation results.
• Enhanced the stability of Cantonese translations
• Improved the translation accuracy for Chinese (Traditional)

And other enhancements to improve the stability of the product overall.

2019.03.26 – Release Notes (Software Version 2.4.00 / 0.4.2; Firmware Version 2.0.6)

• Improved the translation accuracy for Cantonese.

2019.03.14 – Release Notes (Software Version 2.3.00 / 0.4.2; Firmware Version 2.0.6)

• Updated software to the latest version.
• Improved the stability of Internet connectivity.

2019.03.04 – Release Notes (Software Version 2.3.00 / 0.4.2; Firmware Version 2.0.5)

• Allowed options “Delete from History” and “Delete from Favorites” to be selected individually from the “Reset” option.

2019.02.18 – Release Notes (Software Version 2.2.00 / 0.4.2; Firmware Version 2.0.5)

• Resolved issues where translations become unstable when certain operations are carried out.
• Changes made to the System Language names displayed on selection.

2019.01.25 – Release Notes (Software Version 2.0.04 / 0.4.2; Firmware Version 2.0.5)

• Resolved issues related to telecommunication.

2019.01.10 – Release Notes (Software Version 2.0.04 / 0.4.2; Firmware Version 2.0.4)

• Improved the stability of the software on product launch.
• Resolved minor issues found in the audio search keywords for the language selection screen.

2018.12.27 – Release Notes (Version 2.0.03 / 0.4.2)

• Updated the engine for Japanese voice readouts.
• Implemented “Tutorial screen” for translations.
• Added Italian and German to the System Language.
• Improved the stability of the audio input processing.

2018.11.29 – Release Notes (Version 1.4.01 / 0.4.1)

• Improved the response speed of the translations.
• Changed the “minimum battery required for having Updates run” from the original 50% to 30%.

2018.11.13 – Release Notes (Version 1.3.01 / 0.4.1)

• Fixed issue where an occasional delay would occur before translations.
• Fixed issue where cancelling an ongoing translation would take time on occasions.
• Changed / improved the fonts used in the below languages:
  Ukrainian, Kazakh, Greek, Kyrgyz, Serbian, Tajik, Bulgarian, Belarusian, Macedonian, Mongolian, Russian

2018.10.25 – Release Notes (Version 1.2.01 / 0.4.1)

• Fixed issues where the device would not go into sleep mode properly (in certain situations).
• Improved / enhanced the behavior of the speech to text functionality.
• Adjusted the volume of the “beep” sound (sound for notifying start of recording)

2018.10.15 – Release Notes (Version 1.1.11 / 0.4.1)

• Fixed speech recognition issues with Cantonese language.
• Audio output supported on Hindi language.
• Improved / enhanced the behavior of the language selection via voice recognition.

To have the prompt come up for downloading the latest software updates, be sure to have the device charged to above 50% battery, and connect to a Wi-Fi network.

We recommend starting with the instructions in the User Guide.

If you require additional help, contact us at support@pocketalk.net.

From the home screen, tap on the Menu button in the upper left corner. On the Menu screen you will see mobile data bars or WiFi bars.

First, make sure you are connected to the internet.

To select the languages to translate to/from, tap on the languages displayed on the bottom of the homescreen. A list of languages will be displayed. Select the language and tap “OK” in the upper right corner.

Be sure to select one language on the left side and the other language on the right.

Press and hold the physical button under the language you speak. Wait for initial beep sound and then speak into or near Pocketalk. (Speaking approximately four inches from Pocketalk is generally optimal.) When you’re finished speaking, release the button. You’ll hear the translation in the other language and see it displayed in text.

Now pass Pocketalk to your foreign language speaking friend and have them do the same. Remember to have them hold the button under the language they speak, while they speak.

Yes. You can find and select a language using voice control. Just tap the mic icon at the top left and follow the instructions.

If using Pocketalk in China, you may not be able to connect to the internet using local WiFi networks or prepaid SIMs sold in China. If you have a Pocketalk with built-in data, we recommend you switch to data mode. If you’re using our Soracom Global SIM (sold separately) use this in data mode to connect to the internet.

If you do not have Pocketalk with build-in data or a Soracom Global SIM, you can still connect to the internet by switching ON the “China Mode” from the “Region of Use” in the Menu screen.

Note that the number of supported languages will be limited while using “China Mode.”

Translations may not work properly when connecting via WiFi in China due to strict regional regulations.

Once you are outside of China, you can go to the “Region Settings” and select “Global Mode” to get the maximum languages support.

Right here!

Pocketalk Center is a website where you can view a history of translations.

To access Pocketalk Center, please go to the Menu, tap on Pocketalk Center and follow the instructions.

Make sure your Pocketalk is charged above 50% and connected to WiFi. Go to the main Menu and select Software Update. Pocketalk will automatically check to see if an update is available.

Go to the main Menu and tap on System Language. Tap on the language you want to use, then tap OK in the upper right corner.

Go to the Menu screen. Tap on “Brightness” and use the slider to make your adjustment.

We recommend using generic USB to AC adapter converters that are designed for Android smartphones. You can also charge directly from any PC USB port.

Please follow instructions found here.

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