Skype for Windows now has built-in real-time translation for desktop users, as Microsoft has expanded the availability of its Skype Translator tool.
Up until now, Skype translator was available only in preview on Windows. Back in June, Microsoft promised to integrate the real-time translation tool into the Skype for Windows desktop app by the end of this summer, and the company is now making good on its word.
Microsoft started rolling out Skype Translator to all Windows users on Thursday, October 1. For now, the newly improved Skype for Windows desktop app has six voice languages and 50 messaging languages built in for real-time translation. The voice languages are English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Mandarin. Read more about the 50 messaging languages in a Microsoft FaQ.
"It has been a long-time dream at Skype to break down language barriers and bring everyone across the globe closer together," reads an announcement on the Skype blog. "Researchers, engineers, and many others across Microsoft have been working hard to make this dream a reality and we are looking forward to bringing this preview technology to more devices.
"Now, you have even more reasons to chat with people around the world — bringing together family, friends, and students. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities to do even more together across not only distances, but also languages."
The announcement explains that Skype Translator will get better and smarter in time, learning more with usage. Early adopters who took a shot with the preview have already helped improve the technology and the broader release should now translate into even more feedback. In turn, that feedback should help improve Skype Translator in the future and mark further progress.
Skype Translator will work with the desktop version of Skype on Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10, but Microsoft made no mention yet of the tool's availability on other platforms. It may take a good while for Skype's real-time translation technology to reach OS X, iOS, Android or other platforms the Skype app is available on, but the wider availability for all Windows users nonetheless marks a notable step in the right direction.
It's worth pointing out that Microsoft just started rolling out Skype Translator as an update to the Skype for Windows desktop app, but it may take a few weeks to reach all users. Once the tool becomes available, those using the Skype desktop Windows app will notice a new translator button within their conversations.
