Skype Extends Live Translation to Calls on Landlines and Mobile Phones

Microsoft is expanding its real-time Skype translation tool to cover calls made to mobile phones and landlines. The software giant has announced that Windows Insiders -- those who have signed up to access early builds of the Windows operating system -- can now access the new features through the Skype Preview app on Windows 10. Skype Translator was first introduced in English and Spanish back in December2014, and it has since expanded into a number of additional languages, including Mandarin, Italian, Russian, and Arabic. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) techniques such as deep-learning to train artificial neural networks, and it should continuously improve as it listens to more conversations. Essentially, it can convert spoken chats in almost real time across nine languages in total, and more than 50 languages in text-based instant messaging.