For the past two years, Skype users have been able to use the service’s Translator functionality to remove the language barrier from their conversations. Now, this feature is being rolled out for use in calls to mobile phones and landlines.
Skype Translator works by recording everything a particular participant says, translating it to the desired language, recording the results to a transcript, and playing the script back to the other person on the call. This produces a slight delay before the person on the other end of the line hears what you’re saying, but it certainly works well enough to facilitate a conversation.
To get access to Translator functionality, users must be enrolled in the Windows Insider Program. Beyond that, they’ll need the latest version of Skype Preview installed on their system, and either some Skype credit or an active subscription.
A “Translate” toggle switch should be present on the dial pad when users go to make a call, according to a report from The Verge. After flicking the switch, the caller will be prompted to select the languages that are going to be in use, then the call can be placed as normal.
Skype Translator currently supports nine spoken languages; English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese (Mandarin), Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Arabic, and Russian. As per the blog post announcing support for calls to mobiles and landlines, using a headset will “significantly” improve the quality and accuracy of translation.
It’s easy to see why Skype is expanding access to its Translator functionality, as the company has long since claimed that the more these features are used, the more accurate its translations will become. Microsoft clearly wants to continue positioning Skype as a broad, multicapable communications tool, and attractive features like Translator will no doubt help carry out these efforts.
Two new highly requested iCloud plugins just got added to ChatGPT, giving people who rely on Apple’s Mail and Calendar services a way to search emails, check appointments, and manage their schedules directly through the chatbot.
The integration is rolling out to all ChatGPT plans, including the free tier. You can access it on the web, desktop, and iOS.
Google Play is borrowing one of the Nintendo Switch’s most useful little tricks. A new Sidekick tool called Playbacks captures a short clip after something interesting has already happened, sparing players from running a screen recorder throughout an entire game.
Playbacks is part of Google Play Store v53.8 and keeps saved clips on the phone. Google first announced it earlier this month, but the new Play Store update marks its arrival for players. Anyone who has watched a perfect win vanish because the record button came too late already understands the appeal.
Samsung’s scandal over its Game Optimizing Service, or GOS, has returned with a bill attached. South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission has tentatively fined the company 20.1 billion won, or about $15.1 million, over gaming claims made for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S22, and Tab S8.
The regulator says Samsung promoted the devices as gaming powerhouses without disclosing that GOS placed preset CPU and GPU limits on certain demanding games. Samsung disputes that conclusion, calling GOS a legitimate way to manage heat.