Microsoft’s new translator app translates conversations in real time

Microsoft has announced a new personal universal translator that can translate in-person conversations in real time. The updated Translator app allows two or more people to communicate in different languages face to face using their own preferred language on their own device.

The app which will considerably ease communication barriers is available for installation on Android, iOS, Windows as well as on translator’s official website.

To use the app, log in by clicking on ‘Start conversation’ and enter your name and language. The app would provide a conversation code through which other participants could access the conversation. The participants can either type or speak to communicate. The app would automatically generate communications in your chosen language.

The app would also translate texts seen in images and photos present on your device.

Microsoft uses a machine learning technique based on a form of computing called neural networks inspired by human brains. It learns how to translate based on real-world speech, not rules programmed in advance.

With spoken conversation, Microsoft Translator can accommodate a group of up to 100 speakers and nine languages: Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, English, French, German, Russian, Portuguese and Italian. With written text, the translation expands to reach 50 languages, the company said.