Skype’s voice translator
Multi-language calls are no longer limited to the Skype network. Ian Paul reports
Skype has added an interesting new feature to its preview build of the Skype Windows Store app. The latest version of Skype Preview can now perform real-time spoken word translations via Skype Translator when calling landlines and mobile phones – no Skype required on the receiving end. This is a huge deal, bringing it one step closer to becoming a true universal translator.
To try out the new version of Skype Preview you’ll need to be running the latest version of the Windows 10 Insider preview build on the fast ring – Build 14986. Once you’re running this, download and install the latest version of Skype Preview. If you already have this installed just check the Windows Store for any updates.
On top of that, the new feature requires some Skype credits or a calling subscription since calls to landlines and mobile phones are not free. If you’re an Office 365 Home or Personal subscriber, you already get 60 minutes of free Skype calling minutes every month.
Prior to this experimental feature rollout, Skype Translator required both people to be using Microsoft’s messaging app. Now, the firm is looking to remove that dependence by allowing at least one side of the conversation to be Skype-free. That will make the service’s real-time translation much easier to use since users don’t need to work out a special time when both people are on Skype. Instead, one side just makes a regular phone call from the service on a Windows 10 PC.
Translation to landlines and mobiles sounds like a great addition, and we can’t wait to test it out. Bear in mind that this is still a preview feature, so expect some teething troubles.
Using the new Skype feature appears straightforward: simply input the phone number of the call’s recipient, specify which language each party is speaking, then hit the phone icon to connect the call. Skype currently supports a number of languages, including Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish, Italian and Russian.