iTnews

Microsoft prepares beta launch of real-time Skype translator

By Staff Writers on May 28, 2014 1:07PM
Microsoft prepares beta launch of real-time Skype translator

Promises arrival before end of year.

Microsoft showed off a test version of a real-time, spoken-word translation service for Skype calls and promised the technology would soon be available for public consumption.

Skype Translator allows speakers in different languages to hear the other's words spoken in their own language, according to a demo introduced by CEO Satya Nadella at the Code Conference in California.

"It is going to make sure you can communicate with anybody without language barriers," said Nadella, who took over as Microsoft CEO in February.

Nadella described the underlying technology as "magical," but said the task now was turn it into a real product rather than just a research project, promising it would launch by the end of the year as a beta app for Windows 8. The company hopes to eventually offer the product across all devices.

He did not say if it would be a free add-on for Skype users or a paid extra.

Immediate reaction to the demo, featuring an English-speaking Microsoft executive chatting with a German counterpart, was mixed. One German-speaking audience member said the translation was good enough for vacation, but not for business.

The new technology, which Microsoft demonstrated in a rougher form 18 months ago in China, could represent a significant feature for its Skype online chat service, which boasts hundreds of millions of users.

It is an advance on Microsoft's current translation features that only work with written words on its Bing search engine and Internet Explorer browser.

Microsoft has been working hard on speech recognition technology for years. Earlier this year it showed off Cortana, its voice-activated "personal assistant" designed to rival Apple's Siri.

Got a news tip for our journalists? Share it with us anonymously here.
Copyright Reuters
© 2019 Thomson Reuters. Click for Restrictions.
Tags:
microsoft skype software translator
By Staff Writers
May 28 2014
1:07PM
0 Comments

Related Articles

  • AWS seeks to make legacy Windows apps immortal
  • Tasmania's new core policing system goes live
  • Gallery: Microsoft reveals its other Project JEDI
  • Microsoft granted licence to export 'mass-market' software to Huawei
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Whatsapp Email A Friend

Most Read Articles

NBN Co shows its top user now hits 26TB a month

NBN Co shows its top user now hits 26TB a month

ATO moves to break up $1bn Optus megadeal

ATO moves to break up $1bn Optus megadeal

Inside Infosys' complex Centrelink payments calculator overhaul

Inside Infosys' complex Centrelink payments calculator overhaul

Google co-founders step aside as Pichai takes helm of parent Alphabet

Google co-founders step aside as Pichai takes helm of parent Alphabet

You must be a registered member of iTnews to post a comment.
Log In | Register

Whitepapers from our sponsors

Are you getting profitable outcomes from your IT?
Are you getting profitable outcomes from your IT?
Your Microsoft Security journey starts here
Your Microsoft Security journey starts here
Is your AWS framework well-architected?
Is your AWS framework well-architected?
Why you should  reassess your cybersecurity posture
Why you should reassess your cybersecurity posture
How will you manage the cloud data deluge?
How will you manage the cloud data deluge?

Events

  • Gartner Data & Analytics Summit
  • 2nd Data Governance & Management Summit Melbourne
  • 3rd Intelligent Automation Sydney Summit
  • Cyber Security for Higher Education
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorisation.
Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of nextmedia's Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.