PHILIPS HL 3695

Description

Brand:	PHILIPS
Model:	HL 3695
Type:	Translator
Picture:
Batteries:	AA x 4
Lifetime:	Introduced: unknown Terminated: unknown
Notes:	This must be one of the strangest key-bearing devices in my possession. As far as I know this is also the very first pocket (if you have big pockets that is) personal translators. The product advertising (which was widespread) spoke like the very wheel was reinvented even though without any language modules the translator’s vocabulary could easily be scribbled onto the back of a coaster. A wondrous machine. And it is a bit of a calculator too. In "EXT" mode some of its keys can be used to enter calculations. Although one has to be patient to be able to use this function. Performing a simple calculation like "1/3" takes between 7 and 8 seconds to perform, and yields the amazingly accurate answer of "0.33". Multiplication was a little bit faster though. I’m not sure if this is a PHILIPS design or not. I’ve found references to a Craig M100 Translator, which looks particularly similar.

Peripherals

The translator can be extended with language ROMs. It has room for three of such modules (I don’t have any of them). A power adapter can also be connected.