Skip to main content

What language barrier? Skype can now translate calls to mobile phones, landlines

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.

Recommended Videos

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.

Brad Jones
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Brad is an English-born writer currently splitting his time between Edinburgh and Pennsylvania. You can find him on Twitter…
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE might favor power over price
Side profile of the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is expected to launch later this year, offering flagship-level performance and features at a more affordable price. While it's long been expected to launch with the Exynos 2400e chip, a new report suggests Samsung might go with the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 instead, citing production issues with Samsung Foundry.

The report comes from NotebookCheck's Anil Ganti via one of their internal sources. According to the source, Samsung still intends to launch the Galaxy S25 FE with the Exynos 2400e, but the company has a backup plan in case production issues arise, and that's the Dimensity 9400. While Samsung has previously used Mediatek chips in the Galaxy Tab S10 lineup, it poses several notable downsides versus the Exynos.

Read more
I took 4000 photos with Galaxy S25 Ultra, here’s why it’s good and bad
The back of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

The battle for Ultra phones has heated up this year, with every company aiming to launch a phone that can compete with the camera prowess of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Samsung’s latest camera behemoth features four cameras: a 200MP main sensor paired with a 50MP ultrawide and two telephoto lenses. One camera has a 10MP sensor offering 3x optical zoom, while the other has a 50MP sensor complete with 5x optical zoom.

Read more
Here’s how to watch Sony’s Xperia 1 VII launch event
Sony Xperia 1 VII

Sony’s next phone, the Xperia 1 VII, will be unveiled on Tuesday, May 13! You can catch all the action live on that day beginning at 11 a.m. Japan time, which is 10 p.m. on May 12 in EDT. You can watch the event on YouTube using this link.

If you’re a Sony fan, you might want to know that the new Xperia 1 VII probably won’t be available in the U.S., but it's still generating a lot of buzz! This device is expected to measure around 161.9 x 74.5 x 8.5 mm and feature a robust glass and aluminum build with IP65/IP68 dust and water resistance. You can look forward to a 6.5-inch LTPO OLED display that boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR BT.2020 support, and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection.

Read more