Skype Translator: How You Can Try the Star Trek-Style Tool
Microsoft opens up its real-time language translation tool to everyone.
— -- Microsoft is scrapping its wait list for Skype Translator and is opening up a preview of the real-time language translation tool to everyone.
Beginning today, the Skype Translator beta app is open to all Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 preview users on a PC or tablet with no sign-up or wait list necessary.
The product is still in preview, according to Microsoft, which is relying on feedback from early adopters to help make the tool even smarter through machine learning.
Skype translator supports English, Spanish, Italian and Mandarin, while its instant messaging application can translate more than 40 languages in real-time -- enabling virtually anyone around the world to communicate regardless of the languages they speak.
Skype's long-term goal is even more ambitious. The company plans to "translate as many languages as possible on all relevant platforms" creating what will become a universal tool to break down language barriers -- just like the on "Star Trek."