A new tablet called UNI translates sign language into spoken language using gesture recognition technology by Leap Motion.

The portable device could enable deaf people to communicate freely with those who don't understand sign language, opening up a world of possibilities.

Deaf individuals otherwise confined to surroundings suited to their needs could attend public schools and live independently -- apart from an attachment to a mobile device that has become commonplace in contemporary living.

At the moment, the device only translates sign language into English, and it can't translate audible speech back to sign language.

The UNI can be pre-ordered for two installment payments of $99 each.

Other mobile device innovations such as Transcense, now in the works, can transcribe spoken language into text, allowing the deaf to follow conversations on their mobile devices.

And using Google Glass, researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a live text transcription function that uses Google's advanced voice recognition technologies. Conversations are transcribed on the app Captioning on Glass and the user follows along on his smartphone.