Skip to main content

Skype for Windows will have real-time translation features built in soon

Skype for Windows will have real-time translation features built in soon

/

Built straight into the existing app

Share this story

Microsoft has been previewing its impressive real-time translation for Skype over the past six months, and the company is now ready to roll it out more broadly. Starting this summer, Microsoft is planning to bundle the Skype Translator software straight into the existing Skype app for Windows desktop PCs. The expansion joins recent efforts to make Skype Translator available in more languages, and a preview that’s no longer restricted to invite-only.

Skype Translator currently supports English, Spanish, Italian, and Mandarin, allowing anyone to translate speech real-time through a Skype video call or via instant messaging. Microsoft says it plans to "continue to expand the repertoire of languages as they meet our quality standard," and that the company has seen a 300 percent increase in the amount of Skype Translator usage since the invite-only requirement was removed.

Microsoft is previewing a new Skype app for Windows 10 soon

Windows 10 is set to debut on July 29th, and the summer timing of this Skype update could indicate that Microsoft is planning to combine and overhaul the Windows tablet and PC versions of Skype into a single app. Microsoft has started previewing a new version of Skype for Windows 10 recently to partners, and with the operating system now supporting windowing for modern apps, it seems likely we’ll eventually see one app that runs across tablets, PCs, and phones. Microsoft is expected to preview its new Skype for Windows 10 app to the public in the coming weeks.