After a soft rollout last month, Skype has just announced that its Translator tool will be coming to the Skype for Windows desktop app by the end of the summer.
Since last month’s announcement, which saw Skype remove the sign-up requirement to avail of the preview service, there’s been a 300pc rise in users of Translator.
Using the data analytics model that any online translation software relies on, that makes for vast improvements to Skype’s four chosen spoken languages of English, Italian, Spanish and Mandarin.
There are also 50 different written languages that Skype translates for you, but the spoken translator is clearly more of an eyecatcher.
Skype Translator screen
It’s a remarkable progression for Skype Translator, which was only made available in preview form, behind some registration requirements, six months ago.
For it to go from that, to a larger release last month and a full one in a couple more months, is remarkable.
However, again, due to the nature of the service and the requirement to attract as many users as possible to really turn it into something accurate and special, it makes sense that we become the guinea pigs sooner rather than later.
“Remember: Skype Translator uses machine learning, so the more people use the technology, the better the experience for everyone,” said Skype’s Yasmin Khan in a statement.
To try it out, just download the Skype Translator preview app from the Windows Store. Until this “late summer” rollout, though, it is still a pre-release feature, and is only available for PCs and tablets running Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 preview.
“Please take part in breaking down the language barrier by using this innovative new technology,” appealed Khan.
Skype image, via Shutterstock
