Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
The ancient city of Babylon was a crossroads of cultures and languages, and the program Babylon makes good on its linguistic heritage. It can translate 31 languages from your desktop, offers a huge gallery of glossary add-ons, and gives direct access to Wikipedia results in 20 languages. In addition to deeper language libraries, the latest version introduces a new, streamlined interface, single-click document and Web site translation, and a new language detection-feature that recognizes languages without user input.
Babylon translates individual words and phrases on the fly by highlighting and right-clicking or using a hot-key combination that can be adjusted in the Settings menu. Babylon 8 also introduces a "globe" option that keeps the program running in the background and available on your desktop. You can listen to a computerized voice pronounce words in English, but you'll need to add more text-to-speech engines to hear words in other languages. Another helpful feature lets you quickly convert currency, measurements, or time zones, and you can create your own personalized glossaries with links and embedded images.
If you regularly need translations across all your programs and Web surfing, Babylon's default setting to load at start-up will probably seem like a boon. If that's not what you're looking for, you can adjust it under the Miscellaneous tab in Settings. Resource usage spiked when translating full documents, but not overly so--it worked rapidly and didn't interfere with a simultaneously running media player. The full-featured 30-day trial offers plenty of time to decide whether Babylon is valuable to you. The wide array of features and impressive options for adding custom content help this reference tool earn a top rating.
Publisher's Description
From Babylon:
Babylon 8 is the ultimate all-in-one translation solution operated by a single click on your mouse. Simply click on a word or text in any desktop application and get instant translation results into 75 languages. Translation of full texts, Web pages and comprehensive documents is supported by 31 languages. All these features and more, like the integration into Microsoft Office Speller menu, contextual access, language detection, currencies and units conversion, are accessible without interrupting your work flow. Babylon 8 comes with a new dictionary pack, including updated Babylon dictionaries and 17 new Wikipedia titles. You may enhance your translation experience with premium content dictionaries from acclaimed publishing houses such as Oxford, Britannica, Merriam-Webster, Larousse, Vox, Langenscheidt, Pons, and Duden. With Babylon 8, understanding, reading and writing in all languages is easier, faster, and more efficient than ever before.
What's new in this version: Version 8.0 r38 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
3.1 starsout of 313 votes
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Current version:
1.8 starsout of 43 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Horrible translations and customer service! A rip off!"
Version: Babylon 8.0 r38
Pros
None that I can see.
Cons
Absolutely horrible translations
Pathetic customer service
Ruins spell checking in Word
Nothing good about this programSummary
I downloaded the free program. Shortly afterward I realized it wasn't free. I decided to go ahead and buy the program and spent $100 for a lifetime subscription. I bought the program based on reviews I had read (lies!). The translations are simply awful! I speak French but bought it for the occasional help. Bing's free online translation program is better than this. The translations are so bad they make NO sense and are downright laughable. Since I do speak French I know what I'm looking at. I pity anyone buying this program, using it, and thinking that they're getting a good translation.
Of course, what do I expect? I've never received the backup disk I paid an extra $18 for and in the two email conversations I have had with the company their English is atrocious! Their emails were full of grammatical and orthographic errors - and this from a Translation software company?! Their emails are as bad as their translations. Oh, and I purchased the program in $, but when I got my Visa bill, it shows an exchange rate fee. I brought that up to Babylon as well and they never responded.
The Babylon program also interferes with the spell checking tool in Word, especially if I am trying to write in both languages.
I should have mentioned at the beginning that their search program really is a pain. When you download it becomes your default search engine. I corrected that straight away, but you'll have to go online to figure out how to stop that.
I am so deceived I am uninstalling it from my computer. Please don't buy this software! Save your money, get a better translation and use the TRULY free online programs instead. -
"Don't Buy Babylon!!!"
Version: Babylon 8.0 r38
Pros
None (if you pay for that)
Cons
I tried to transfer my life time license to my new notebook. Here is a summary of my conversation with Babylon rep.
Summary
Please wait for a site operator to respond. Thanks.
You are now chatting with 'Tania'
Tania: Hello and welcome to Babylon's Online Store Service . How May I Assist You Please ?
you: I try to transfer Babylon to my notebook. I have an old version. Whet I have to do to get it on y new notebook?
Tania: what is your email address please?
you:
Please wait while I transfer the chat to 'Anna'.
You are now chatting with 'Anna'
Anna: hi
you: Hi
Anna: Please hold for a moment
Anna: Registered to:
Anna: E-mail:
Anna: Phone:
you: Correct
Anna: babylon 10 will not work on windows 8
Anna: unfortunetly
you: So, what I can do?
Anna: you need to buy babylon 10
Anna: with a discount of course
Anna: take the classic package for life time
Anna: including the oxford dictionary and the human voice for english
Anna: back up cd an insurance on me
Anna: and of course everything is for life time
you: I bought a license for life time. Why to buy it again? The "life time" is not yet over.
Anna: babylon 4 is not compatible with windows 8 ...
Anna: you can of course keep your babylon 4 on your old computer forever
you: In the past I got a patch to let me continue using Babylon on new versions of Windows
Anna: not any more im afraid..
you: It does not make sense. Actually we can call it a fraud.
Anna: your call sir -
"ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE"
Version: Babylon 8.0 r38
Pros
there are absolutely NONE. I don't understand why you are trying to compete with mozilla and google and other much better search engines. QUIT.
Cons
This thing inserted itself onto my computer. i was downloading a free youtube downloader and i was clicking through the install and got this. i tried to cancel but it wouldn't allow me to. Then it inserted itself into all of my web browsers, making babylon my homepage.
Summary
It copies google so I didn't even realize it was on my computer for a few days.
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"Worst crapware program on the internet"
Version: Babylon 8.0 r38
Pros
Absolutely NONE
Cons
I didn't even install this! The search engine showed up in one of my installers and even though I clicked NO to the offer it forced install anyways! Then, even AFTER I uninstalled it-- it had hijacked my browser settings causing me to force reset on all of my settings. This company should be ashamed.
Summary
NEVER give money to these people, they basically create a browser hijacker and distribute it openly with their label on it.
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"major consumer fraud!!!"
Version: Babylon 8.0 r38
Pros
works really well .. for about 6 months
Cons
this company is a major rip-off. their "lifetime" licenses work for about 6 months. They will take your money and run - unless you are willing to constantly fork out funds on an ongoing basis to subscribe to their updated versions.
Summary
This company is extremely fraudulent - they sell lifetime licenses to dictionaries, that last about 6 months.
After that, the nightmare begins. Support is circular and you will never be able to get your licenses working. All the company cares about is ensuring an ongoing stream of profits to its pocket. All of the sales people are sleazy too!! -
"Forces it's search engine on you"
Version: Babylon 8.0 r38
Pros
None at all
Cons
Forces itself to be the search engine of choice, and then is next to impossible to reset without editing the registry and FireFox config files.
Summary
Just don't do it. You'll be sorry.
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"VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT BABYLON AND LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVES"
Version: Babylon 8.0 r38
Pros
Good software
Cons
Very bad customer service and unfair customer handling to try to make more money in a dishonest manner. It is the first time that I am treated that way by a supplier. I never use copied software. Babylon seems to play the pirate.
Summary
I purchased Babylon 8 + Britannica + Extended License Service + Backup CD on 31 August 2009 (order 1672334). My computer crashed. I purchased a new computer and installed Babylon on the new one. Almost immediately arrived the license overused message and the discontinuation of services. I discussed with the support service, they told me that they would reset my license, but they did not.
Moreover they modified my search engine and installed lots of bad things on my new computer.
Let us communicate to all our relationships how we are treated by Babylon. -
"Beware for buying from Babylon Com LTD."
Version: Babylon 8.0 r38
Pros
none, rien, nada, niks
Cons
You pay twice for one, and get nothing
Summary
I have ordered a "Babylon MAC + Van"Dale" on their dutch-version website. Babylon Com Ltd charged me once 97 ? and again 159,88 $ for this order, so twice for one licence. What you got back for your payment is a phone call on a sunday morning at 7 am! with the promise that they will send the software and key. You get also an email with the poor and only information "DAVE,Sales Representative.Babylon LTD." And that's it.
If you try to get in contact to complain that you haven't received anything (even no confirmation e-mail of the payment or an invoice), it's simply a waste of time because they just reply to confirm your e-mail but don't give an answer on the problem. I hope to get my money back by the help of the credit-card company.
My conclusion is that perhaps the software is a 5 star worth , but the company Babylon Com LTD deserves a big 5 minus. -
"What a waste of money"
Version: Babylon 8.0 r38
Pros
Yes, it will translate a single work, sometimes
Cons
I live in Korea and have tried to use this software for three months. I have yet translated a pdf file or a group of words.
Summary
Don't waster your money on this software. Use google translator for single words or webpages. It's free. This software is fustrating and does not have a tutorial or instructions on how to use it to get the most out it.
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"Don't give them money ... you WILL lose it."
Version: Babylon 8.0 r38
Pros
Software is OK and does it's job.
Cons
You will get your license revoked the moment you try to upgrade your PC / OS / anything else perfectly legitimate. You will receive no support when this happens.
Summary
I like many, many people who have used Babylon (read the other reviews and search a bit online) have fallen victim to their draconian licensing policy. I merely upgraded my PC to Windows 7 at which point they decided that I was running their software on two PC's and revoked my license.
When contacted they simply sent me a link to buy a new license: so, pay again for software I've already paid for. They then ignored any further emails I sent them.
Their company is almost run as if it was some kind of scam. You might get to use their software, but for how long?
Avoid at all costs.
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