Microsoft makes available preview of Skype Translator

Mary Jo Foley
Updated

Microsoft has made available a first public preview of Skype Translator, its service for real-time language translation.

skypetranslatorpreview.jpg
skypetranslatorpreview.jpg

Microsoft execs announced Skype Translator in May 2014, noting that a public preview would be available this year. The company began taking sign ups for the preview in November 2014.

Microsoft is characterizing Skype Translator as "a brand new feature from Skype." The new service translates conversations both ways in near real-time. The service will display an on-screen transcript of the call, and also ultimately will translate instant-message chats in more than 45 languages.

Initially, the preview available on December 15 is available on devices running Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 Technical Preview, though Microsoft is expected to make it ultimately available across a wide variety of devices and operating systems over time. Today's preview also is currently available in only in English and Spanish.

Microsoft officials have been working to deliver real-time language translation for at least two years.