At the Re/Code’s Code Conference on Tuesday, Microsoft presented its new feature for Skype that enables users to understand translations of languages in real time. Given the title of Skype Translator, this technology is set to break language barriers. Do you remember in Star Trek where Spock and Kirk user a universal translator to understand the aliens? This device will be a universal translator for users on Skype.
There are currently 300 million users on Skype each month, and on average over 2 billion Skype conversations take place each day. This system can expand the reach of Skype around the world even further.
Skype Translator has spent decades in the making due to the tremendous amount of research that had to be performed before the concept was actuated. As soon as all adequate preliminary steps were taken for this project, Skype and Microsoft Translator teamed up to provide this helpful service. When this app debuted at the conference, audio translation from English and German and vice versa were demonstrated using Skype voice and IM features in tandem with Microsoft Translator. Through the use of neural network-based speech recognition, the system works extraordinarily well.
Microsoft is known to make investments in research endeavors, as this project is a fine example. Previously, the company invested in machine learning technologies, automatic translation, and speech recognition tech to further the progress of a translating app. So far, Skype Translator will only be available for Windows machines. Starting at the end of the year, users will be able to download this version of Skype as part of a Windows 8 beta app. Skype Translator tech is definitely a step toward a universal translator once only imagined in science fiction.
Story via Microsoft
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