Making a video call over Skype is about to get a lot more international thanks to a new update from Microsoft.
The company has revealed a new Translator upgrade that will bring real-time translation to all calls, including smartphone and landlines.
This means that if you are having a conversation who speaks a different language to you, Skype will be able to immediate translate what they are saying so that you can understand it.
Translating a call is remarkably easy - as users simply need to tick the 'Translate' box whilst making a Skype call, and select their language.
When a translator call is placed, the recipient will hear a message letting them know that their call is being recorded and then translated.
In order to use the service, users will need to be registered Skype users, as well as being signed up to the Windows Insider Program - and will also need some Skype credits in their account.
The translator currently works with English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese (Mandarin), Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Arabic, and Russian.
Previously, real-time translation has only been available when both callers were using the Skype app, and Microsoft says that it is still working on ironing out the service.
This means you may not get word-perfect translations right away, and there will be a short delay in hearing responses as Skype processes the word changes.
However Microsoft says that as more calls are made using Skype Translator, the more the service will learn and improve.
The news is the latest improvement made to Skype as Microsoft looks to give its video-calling app more advanced features.
The service received a raft of updates as part of the launch of Windows 10 as the rebranded Skype for Business became one of Microsoft's most important apps.
The app will soon be able to send and receive SMS and MMS messages directly from a Windows 10 PC when Skype is set as the default messaging app on a paired Windows 10 Mobile smartphone.
All of this is despite Microsoft revealing that the UK-based workforce behind Skype could be hit by job cuts after its London office closed in a bid to consolidate employees.
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