Index Corp. Releases "Bowitter," a Dog-to-Human Translation App for iPhone, in North America

TOKYO, April 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Index Corporation today announced the launch of "Bowitter" in North America, a dog-to-human translation App* for iPhone* that lets users analyze barking sounds from a dog, translates those barks into English words that humans can comprehend, and then allows for those translations to be shared via Twitter. The original Japanese version, "Bowlingual," is also available on the AppStore in Japan.

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[Service Outline]
"Bowitter" is an iPhone* App* that's used to communicate between dogs and human beings by analyzing the barking sound of a dog in real-time and then translating its feeling into words. In addition to translation services, it comes with a feature that allows users to sync the results with their Twitter accounts, tweeting their dogs' feelings to their followers. 

[About Bowlingual]
In September 2002, "Bowlingual", a dog translator that analyzes the voice print of a dog's barking sound, was developed by TAKARA TOMY CORP (Formerly, TAKARA Corp.) along with partners that include Nihon Onkyo Research Labs, LLC (Consulting Business and Research for sound, radio, and audio   C.E.O.: Matsumi Suzuki), Index Corporation, and Professor Norio Kogure, who specializes in animal behavior (Veterinary Doctor at Kogure Animal Hospital).

"Bowlingual" is a breakthrough product that transmits voice data acquired through a mini-microphone. Users hook the microphone to the dog's collar, then the main device analyzes the sounds in real-time and classifies emotions in six different categories. These emotions are displayed as human words with the dog's "Voice Translator."  The "Voice Translator" also displays a dog's feelings with illustrations. This device became immensely popular, making it more fun for owners to communicate with their dogs. It sold approximately 300,000 copies at home and abroad.

In October 2002, it received an "Ig Nobel Prize" in the Peace category, organized by the magazine Annals of Improbable Research. Since its launch in September, 2002, "Bowlingual Connect" was introduced into the mobile phone carrier Vodafone in Japan. In August 2009, TAKARA TOMY CORP. launched its successor, "Bowlingual Voice," allowing for translation and simultaneous use for up to five devices.

[Content Description]

*1 "iPhone" and "AppStore" are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc.

*Company names, product names, and service names mentioned herein are registered trademarks of their respective owners in the text above.

About Index Corporation
Index Corporation is a global provider and publisher in interactive entertainment. The mobile contents business as a core business, Index Corporation develops and expands original high-ended game brand "ATLUS". ATLUS has published games for every major video game console and handheld system, including the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™, DS™, PSP® (PlayStation® Portable), and PC.A global provider of "Online & Gaming" as its Core Business, Index Corporation utilizes Value Chain Development to provide high quality contents and solutions.

Media Contact: PR Manager Index Corporation, +81-(0)3-5779-5709, [email protected]

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SOURCE Index Corporation