Skype makes real-time translation available on landlines, mobile phones

Skype is increasing the availability of its real-time translation feature and integrating the tool with calls made to mobile phones and landlines. Earlier, the translation feature, which started rolling out to users in 2014, only worked for Skype-to-Skype calls.

Users would however, need three things to access the tool - they would need to be signed up to the (free) Windows Insider Program; they would need the latest beta of the Skype app ( Skype Preview) downloaded; and need some paid Skype credits.

The translation would work in the manner it does with regular Skype calls. Users invoke dialer, toggle the switch marked ''Translate,'' and then select the languages. When the person on the other end picks up they would be played a message telling them the call was being recorded and translated. The rest of the call would take place with short delays waiting for the translation of the conversation.

Skype Translator is currently available across nine spoken languages - English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese (Mandarin), Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Arabic, and Russian. As this automatic translation was powered by deep learning systems, users could expect some errors, but it was certainly better than not having the conversation at all.

Meanwhile, Microsoft on Tuesday announced another interesting feature to its Translator app, which makes it easy to interact with groups in 60 different languages. With the service users can start a conversation  with up to 100 participants (they can join by entering a code or scanning a QR code) and display translations of everything you say in their preferred language in real-time.

According to commentators, this could come in handy for situations such as speaking with refugees who had just arrived in a new country or conducting a guided tour with travelers from around the world. Each person needed only a connected smartphone or tablet to view translated text in their language of choice.

According to Microsoft its new service worked equally well for one-on-one chats.

The universal translator built on the tech behind Skype Translator, which facilitated translated chats over the web. The feature which had become available last October arrived on mobile earlier this week.