Microsoft’s Skype team stated on Thursday that Skype Translator has come out of beta and is now rolling out to the Skype for Windows desktop app. Skype Translator aims to break down the walls of communication starting with six voice languages – English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin, and Spanish – and 50 messaging languages.
“Since December 2014, when we released the Skype Translator preview app, hundreds of thousands of people have used the app and have given us instrumental feedback,” the team said in a blog on Thursday. “Thank you to everyone for this amazing input!”
The blog states that Skype Translator is powered by machine learning technology. The more it’s used, the smarter the technology becomes. The team said it saw big improvements in the language conversion as the beta testers used the app each day and will likely see loads of refinement as Skype Translator is dished out to a “broader” audience.
Microsoft provides a few examples in its report, stating that a PhD student enlisted in the beta “enhanced” his thesis research with the help of experts located in other countries. The company also says that a world traveler based out of Australia managed to find his way across a number of continents using the beta and translated “key phrases.” A shop owner uses Translator to purchase goods through Skype’s instant message service.
“It has been a long-time dream at Skype to break down language barriers and bring everyone across the globe closer together,” the Skype team adds. “Researchers, engineers, and many others across Microsoft have been working hard to make this dream a reality and we are looking forward to bringing this preview technology to more devices.”
Skype customers using the Windows desktop app will see the new feature within the next few weeks. They’ll know Translator is up and running when they see the associated icons located under the current Video Call and Call buttons. To see how Skype Translator is set up and used, check out the video below!
From maximumpc
from http://bit.ly/1LoEpM3
