Needs refinement

The app is very useful but it has a few annoying features. Since I also use the Larousse English/French dictionary extensively I couldnt help but to compare the two dictionaries, especially since the Larousse app costs $5.99 and the Ascendo app costs $9.99.

On the plus side:
(1) English and Spanish words are interfiled in the Lookup module.
(2) Tap the Audio icon and hear the word pronounced (if you are online).
(3) Tap the Microphone icon and Record your voice.

On the negative side:
(1) Lookup, Phrases, and Conjugate modules are not interfiled. Too many key strokes are required to first translate a verb (Lookup), then conjugate it if its a verb (Conjugate), then hope that there might be an example of how to use it (Phrases) -- which there generally is not, then Lookup the Spanish word in English to determine the gender if its a noun. Phrases should be fully integrated with the relevant vocabulary. A Conjugate link should appear on each specific verb Lookup page near the verb itself rather than having to close the keyboard and tap the Conjugate icon in the bottom bar. Interfiling would have improved usability. The app is organized as if it were a print document. In the online world theres no reason to have separate phrasebooks, conjugation books, and dictionaries.

(2) The gender of Spanish nouns should be indicated in the Spanish Lookup, not only the English Lookup.

(3) The Microphone icon is located too close to both the search box and the Audio icon, which creates frustrating results if you tap the Microphone by mistake. If you tap the Microphone, a Recording message pops up. If you Cancel the message and tap the Audio icon, there is no sound and you can no longer hear pronunciations. It took me a while to figure out that you have to tap Done instead of Cancel. Then an arrow appears beside the Microphone and you must tap the arrow which changes into a square box and then back to an arrow and then the Audio icon works again. Its a mystery what is going on. Its also annoying.

(4) Extremely little context is provided regarding usage of any word, making it difficult to choose the correct translation. For example, if you search the verb "to be" theres no explanation differentiating between "ser" and "estar."

(5) Tap the Microphone and Record your voice. This feature is a negative for me, although others may perceive it as an advantage. It seems that the dictionary is intended to have a second purpose as a language training course. However, the dictionarys functionality should be improved before its uses are expanded.

rhodag about Spanish Dictionary + ©, v5.1.5