This prototype from the Sarohm team in Israel interprets sign language via an Android phone. This was demonstrated in 2011 and is still a rough draft, but is a good example of using hand held devices to improve communication.

show&Tell glove – introduction from sarohm on Vimeo.

They describe the glove as a poetic communication platform, which hints at expanding the use beyond sign language.

A POETIC COMMUNICATION PLATFORM

A glove that translates sign language into text. The idea was initially conceived as an alternative communication platform for future wearable computers in order to bridge between the virtual textual and offline physical communication.

The use of sign language presents a poetic solution; taking a tool used today by communicatively disabled people and putting it to use in order to enable and enhance the communication skills of the rest of us.
Show and Tell – Sarohm