X
Tech

Latest Microsoft Skype preview adds voice translation for phone calls

Microsoft has added Skype Translator support for mobile and landline phone calls to the latest version of Skype Preview for Windows 10 PC Insider testers.
Written by Mary Jo Foley, Senior Contributing Editor

Microsoft has added the ability to use Skype Translator on calls to mobiles and landlines to its latest Skype Preview app.

skypetranslatorinskypepreview.jpg
Credit: Microsoft

Up until now, Skype Translator was available to individuals making Skype-to-Skype calls. The December 8 announcement of the expansion of Skype Translator to mobiles and landlines makes Skype Translator more widely available.

To test drive this, users need to be members of the Windows Insider Program. They need to install the latest version of Skype Preview on their Windows 10 PCs and to have Skype Credits or a subscription.

Beyond Skype translation, the latest version of the Skype Preview app for Windows 10 Insiders includes some other new features. These include the ability to introduce friends and family on Skype by sharing Skype Contact details; to capture and share video messages on Skype, even when users are offline; to mark conversations as read or unread; and to forward calls to mobiles or landlines (a feature which also requires Skype credits or a subscription).

Microsoft initially announced plans to integrate Skype Translator directly into the desktop versions of Skype for Windows PCs (Windows 7, 8, or 10) back in 2015. At that time, officials said to expect the capability to come to audio and video calls, as well as instant message conversations.

Editorial standards