Waverly Labs, Forum is a mobile and web-based app that helps unlimited numbers of people communicate with ease. Designed for use in lecturers, auditoriums, and theaters, as well as in-person and/or remote meetings it facilitates communication in 20 languages and 42 dialects.

Forum is extremely easy to download and use and allows users to either host or attend a session. Once a session is created, participants can join by simply scanning a QR code or entering a meeting code generated by the host. They then select which language they want to receive, and Forum provides text and audio translation direct to their device. At the end of the session, users have the option to receive a full transcript of the conversations.

Forum is a highly flexible platform that enables one-to-many, one-to-one, and many-to-many communications. It’s a powerful tool for lectures and teachers whereby they start as a session that students can join. Translations in the students chosen language are received directly on their device as text and audio. A session can be “broadcast” in multiple languages simultaneously.


Formats/platforms used

Forum is currently available as an IOS and web-based app, with an Android version launching at the end of Q1.


Primary website’s URL:

www.waverlylabs.com/forum

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Problem solved:

Forum tackles language barriers. Whether it’s teacher / student communication on a one-to-one level, teacher/ class discussions or parent / teacher conversations, Forum makes it easier by removing the language barrier. Users are comfortable having conversations, knowing that they can be understood by the other participants.

At times where there are students or an audience with a variety of native languages in one classroom or lecture theater, a lecturer or teacher can use Forum to teach the whole class in one session.

In addition, as Forum is a desktop platform and app, users can be in remote locations and still join the session.


Grades/age range:

All ages and grade ranges. Forum can be used to help support education at all levels.


Lesson time needed:

Forum is extremely easy to download and use and allows users to either host or attend a session. Once a session is created, participants can join by simply scanning a QR code or entering a meeting code generated by the host. They then select which language they want to receive, and Forum provides text and audio translation direct to their device. At the end of the session, users have the option to receive a full transcript of the conversations.

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Pricing model:

Forum has free and tiered feature plans. It is always free for people to download, join sessions, and listen and stream translations (text) on their devices. Hosting sessions and sending communications for translation requires a plan. Plans vary based on the number of participants and languages they can support, the number of minutes of translation available per month, the number of sessions that can be hosted per month, and the ability to unlock additional features such as vocabulary preferences. Free, Personal, Professional, and Premium plans are available, ranging from $0 to $34.99 per month. Customized “Team Plans” are also available for organizations to best suit their needs.


Additional services needed:

None

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What makes Forum unique?

Forum is a desktop and cellular application like no other, it is a ground-breaking platform that was specifically created for use by lecturers, public speakers and event hosts.

Its core technology captures speech, processes it in the cloud, and delivers translations to various devices and solutions optimized for different use cases. It is so fast and accurate it can handle ongoing fluid conversations with people in a natural and unimpaired way. Highly sophisticated, it can translate conversations with multiple users, receiving different language translations simultaneously.

Forum offers audio and text translations in over 20 languages and 42 dialects, including English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, Greek, Russian, Hindi, Turkish, Polish, Chinese Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Cantonese, Hebrew, Thai, Vietnamese and Dutch.

In addition, Forum offers:

  • Versatile speech recognition and transmission options
  • Hold-to-Talk: Hold the mic button to capture your voice and release it to translate.
  • Pause-to-Translate: Simply talk and following a 2- second pause in speaking, translations will be completed without the need to hold any mics or press any buttons.
  • Live Translation: In this mode, Forum translates as you speak in real-time.
  • Vocabulary Preferences: Providing great control over terminology and decency.
  • Profanity filter: Provides the option to block any words or phrases not wanted in a chat.
  • Custom Terms and Definitions: Add uncommon terms that are regularly used, such as names, acronyms, expressions, and slang, to personalize and increase the accuracy of your experience.
  • Transcripts: Past conversations are available as transcripts. You can see the messages displayed in all the participants' languages during the session.
  • Host Controls: The HOST speaker has complete control to mute the audience and lock the session so no other participant joins during the speech.


Characteristics:

Forum is designed with the best UI / UX standards in education technology. It’s incredibly easy to host or join a session, and has an array of accessibility features such as language localization, font resizing for easy readability, and other personalization.


Here’s what users are saying:

“It was emotional … There are no boundaries now. This will open up so many doors.”

--Natalie Conoscenti of Palisades Park HS