• by Laurie Sullivan  @lauriesullivan, May 16, 2014

Google has acquired Quest Visual, the startup responsible for Word Lens translator for iOS as well as Android and Google Glass.

The developer announced the acquisition on its Web site. Joining Google means Quest Visual's technology will integrate with Google Translate, per the company's Web site.

The technology translates one language into another by taking a photo of the sign or words. It allows users to view a sign or other printed text through the camera on their iPhone, Android phone or Google Glass, and replaces the text with a translated version in fonts and colors that match the original.

Following news of the acquisition, the developer made the Word Lens app and its language packs free for a limited time.