A new, multilingual version of Skype translates what users are saying to one another in real-time.
It's not easy to use at first, or even download, but if you're patient, future Skype sessions will be pretty cool. It's like you have a translator sitting in the room with you.
For now, Skype is rolling out its Translator to a limited audience. It translates users’ conversation between Spanish and English as they speak. It can also text (including Klingon) in many other languages, also in real-time.
"The Star Trek instant translator from the 70s and 80s, we're getting close to it,” said Adam Blau of One Hour Translation, a translation services company.
Blau said the Skype Translator is a step in the right direction.
"It really brings up a big possibility for business, consumers, to understand what's being spoken,” Blau said. “It’s an exciting time for business, anybody working in a multi-lingual environment."
Microsoft acquired Skype back in 2011 and admits this is Version 1.0 of Skype Translator. Windows 8.1 is required to use it.
