TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tech giant Microsoft is putting efforts to improve contents of its over-the-internet call application Skype by adding Skype Translator into the app. The update is aimed to eliminate boundary between users with different languages.
“It sounds like magic, but it’s the result of years of work from Microsoft’s research team and Skype to provide an early working copy of software that could help change the way the world communicates in the future,” The Verge wrote on Tuesday, December 16.
Skype Translator convert voices into audio and text that pop up on the video screen. So far, it only provide translation between Spanish and English. Microsoft had launched a trial for Germany, but has yet to make it available on the app. The feature can be accessed on Wiindows 8.1 and Windows 10.
Microsoft is marketing Skype Translator as a tool for schools, and the company tested it out with students in the US and Mexico.
“Skype is already popular in the classroom, with teachers participating in video conferences around the world to connect their schools to classrooms across the globe,” The Verge reported.
Microsoft is also translating instant messaging conversations through Skype Translator, with more than 40 languages supported. If you’re interested in testing Skype Translator then you’ll need to request an invite at Microsoft’s Skype site.
Skype has been used by 300 million people to communicate through messages, calls and video phones. With that many of users, Skype could be a threat for Facebook Messenger that is used by around 500 million people.
THE VERGE | TECH CRUNCH | SATWIKA MOVEMENTI