Skype for Windows now has real-time translation built in

To get started you’ll need to download Skype for Desktop with Translator at www.skype.com and make sure that your audio and headset settings are properly configured.

These services, which have been in preview since December 2014, have slowly been expanding to build up its collection of languages that can be translated in both spoken and written words over the last 10 months.

Microsoft is rolling out Skype Translator to the masses on Tuesday.

Of course, with automated processes like these, it’s still a little hit-and-miss at the moment (just look at Cortana’s quirks) but, after nearly a year since its announcement, the Skype Translator is good enough today that you can easily carry conversations with people in other countries, even though the translations may not always be entirely accurate.

I’m looking forward to putting Skype Translator to the test.

With this, one would hold a conversation with someone without knowing the language.

With live translation available for six voice languages (English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin and Spanish) and 50 messaging languages, it’s a big step in breaking down barriers in communication.

Under the hood, the ability to now be able to provide near real time translation services has come about due to a couple of major changes in the landscape. So adding millions of people to the app will help improve the translation. After the update, users will see a small translation icon in the upper right corner of the screen. Smartly, the Skype Translator shows a text-based version of what it is about to send to a recipient, meaning you’ll be aware of when it’s muddled your words. We’ve given ourselves a stern talking to and we’d like to apologise for crashing you when you leave the app or when you return.

From today, the Skype Translator option is available to everyone using a PC or tablet running Windows 7, 8, 8.1 or Windows 10.

There is still no information as to whether Skype Translator will be available on OS X, iOS or Android devices in the future.