Bridgy FAQ (English)

Q1. What can this app do?

A1. Bridgy is an app that "bridges" conversation through face-to-face text display, written conversation and translation.

Q2. How can I enter text?

A2. You can use the following methods.

• Drawing lines (finger / Apple Pencil)
• Voice input (speech to text)
• Keyboard input
• Apple Pencil Scribble (handwriting text input)

Q3. The microphone does not work

A3. On your iPad / iPhone, check the permission in Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone.

Q4. Translation does not work. Please explain in detail

A4. If you are translating a language for the first time, the language data must be downloaded. Connect to the internet and try again.

Supported languages: English / Spanish / French / Japanese / Vietnamese / Italian / Indonesian
Translation pairs: 49 pairs (e.g. English↔English, English↔Spanish, English↔French, English↔Japanese, English↔Vietnamese, English↔Italian, English↔Indonesian)

1) Translation mode settings

Auto translate after recording

• After recording stops, the text is automatically translated into the other person's language

Auto-translate & read aloud after recording stops

• After recording stops, the text is automatically translated into the other person's language, and the translation is read aloud automatically

Language settings

• Tap the gear (Settings) to set the language you speak ("Me") and the other person's language ("Partner")
• Conversation (Speech Recognition Language)
  • Choose the language you speak
  • Choose the language the other person speaks

2) Voice input

• Tap the microphone icon (the microphone color changes)
  → Tap the microphone icon again to stop the whole conversation
  　→ "Me (language): Listening…" or "Partner (language): Listening…" is displayed. If it is correct, start talking.

• While you talk, light text is displayed as the conversation goes on
  　→ When 1.5 seconds of silence is detected, the app judges that the conversation has ended and confirms the text as dark text
  　→ If you find a mis-recognition while the light text is displayed, press and hold the microphone button to cancel what was said

  Switching speakers
  　→ Double-tap the microphone to switch whose voice is heard

3) Keyboard input

• Tap "Enter Text (Pen / Keyboard)" in the bottom menu
  → A new window opens
• Choose who is entering text now: Me / Partner
• Select your language / the other person's language
• Tap the white area → the keyboard appears
• Type text with the keyboard and tap Add
  → The text appears on the screen in the selected language (it is translated according to the translation mode)

Important: It is convenient to register fixed phrases in the "User Dictionary (Text Replacement)".
A short entry can display a long sentence at once.
Example: "Nice to meet you, I am ○○. I look forward to working with you."
Where to set it: Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement

4) Apple Pencil input (Scribble) This feature does not work on iPhone

• iPad settings: Settings → Apple Pencil
  • "Only Draw with Apple Pencil": OFF
  • "Scribble": ON
• Tap "Enter Text (Pen / Keyboard)" in the bottom menu
  → A new window opens
• Who is entering text: Me / Partner
• Your language / the other person's language are displayed
• Write text in the white area with the Apple Pencil → tap Add
  → The text appears on the screen and is translated according to the translation mode

5) Audio output

• Tap the speaker icon in the bottom screen menu to hear the translated text read aloud

Q5. Automatic translation does not work the first time

A5. If you are translating a language for the first time, the language data must be downloaded.

Q6. What is the difference between the eraser and the trash can?

A6.

• Eraser: erases drawn lines
• Trash can: erases all lines and text

Q7. Can I zoom in, zoom out and move the text on the screen?

A7.

• You can zoom in and out by pinching in and out with two fingers
• You can move the text position by dragging with one finger
  * When moving text, tap the eraser first, and lines will be less likely to be drawn

Q8. Can I change the text size and line thickness?

A8. Yes, you can.
Move the slider at the bottom of the screen left or right to change the text size.
Tap the slider to switch to changing the line thickness.

Q9. Do I have to agree to the Terms of Use to use the app?

A9. Yes. If you do not agree, the app does not work.

Q10. Can I use the app offline?

A10. Yes. However, only when you translate a language for the first time, the language data must be downloaded, which requires an online connection.

Q11. Pinching or moving text does not work well and lines get drawn. Why?

A11. Because you can draw lines with your finger in this app, the moment you first touch the screen may be recognized as drawing, and a line may appear.
When you pinch to zoom or move text, tap the eraser icon first and then do the operation. Lines will be less likely to be drawn, and zooming and moving text will go more smoothly.

Q12. I can hardly see the lines

A12. Depending on display settings on your iPad / iPhone, such as inverted colors (Smart Invert / Classic Invert) or Increase Contrast, lines may be hard to see. Please turn those settings OFF and try again.
Where to set it: Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size → (Invert Colors / Increase Contrast)

Q13. How can I see conversation text that has scrolled off the screen?

A13. Place two fingers on the screen and swipe to see the conversation that has scrolled off the top of the screen.