Microsoft can “dismantle language barriers in the workplace” but only if you have an iPhone

Microsoft can "dismantle language barriers in the workplace" but only if you have an iPhone

What you need to know

  • Microsoft Translator Pro is a new application that is designed to “dismantle language barriers in the workplace.”
  • The app supports real-time translation and simultaneous real-time transcription.
  • Speech-to-speech translation runs on-device and does not require an internet connection.
  • Microsoft Translator Pro is in public preview but is currently limited to iOS.

As a seasoned researcher with over two decades of experience in the tech industry, I have seen the evolution of translation technology from its infancy to where it is today. Back when Skype Translator was still in beta, real-time translation felt more like a sci-fi movie than a practical tool. But times have changed, and Microsoft’s latest offering, Microsoft Translator Pro, is a testament to that progress.


Microsoft’s latest app, Microsoft Translator Pro, is designed to break down language obstacles within professional settings. As of now, it’s accessible in public preview on iOS devices. This innovative tool offers real-time speech-to-speech translation, ensuring smooth communication between individuals who speak different languages. It even provides a written transcript during the translation process. Microsoft unveiled this app earlier this week and demonstrated its capabilities on an Azure AI services blog.

Microsoft’s Translator Pro is a premium application accessible through their commercial cloud service. For those who are business clients, there’s an option to submit a form to gain access to Microsoft Translator Pro.

Microsoft outlined the core features of Microsoft Translator Pro in a support document:

  • Eliminate language barriers. Real-time speech-to-speech translation allows seamless communication between individuals speaking different languages.
  • Unified efficient experience. Both transcription and translation can be viewed or heard simultaneously on a single device, ensuring smooth and efficient conversations.
  • Offline usage capability. The app’s speech-to-speech translation capability can be utilized without an internet connection in limited languages, maintaining productivity without interruption.
  • Full administrator control. Your enterprise IT administrator has extensive control over the app’s deployment and usage within your organization. Administrators can fine-tune settings to manage conversation history, audit trails, and diagnostic logs. Additionally, administrators have the ability to disable history or configure the automatic exportation of the history to cloud storage.
  • Enterprise-grade security. Microsoft Translator Pro ensures exceptional translation quality paired with robust security features. Recognizing that privacy and security are paramount for your organization, administrators can sign in to the app using organizational credentials. Your organization’s conversational data remains entirely protected within your Azure tenant. Not Microsoft or any third parties can access your data.

Microsoft Translator Pro sets itself apart from its standard version due to its robust security features and extensive administrative control, which are particularly appealing to businesses. Unlike consumer-focused apps that might record entire conversations, the business-oriented nature of Microsoft Translator Pro ensures it’s suitable for professional settings where privacy is paramount.

Translation is a major focus of Microsoft’s these days. The tech giant announced several new translation features for Teams earlier this week at Ignite 2024. Real-time translation helps improve accessibility and communication, both of which are priorities for Microsoft.

In the past ten years, translation technology has made significant strides. I recall trying out Skype Translator during its beta phase in 2015. At that time, real-time translations were quite uneven and didn’t feel natural. Given it was still in beta, such issues were understandable. However, even as we approach 2024, translation technology has seen immense advancements and is now functional in practical scenarios, although it may not completely replace human interpreters.

Why is Microsoft Translator Pro exclusive to iOS?

Microsoft hasn’t disclosed the reason behind the exclusive availability of Microsoft Translator Pro on iOS devices. Typically, developers might opt to create an app for Apple’s platform first due to the unified structure of iOS. However, given that this app aims at enhancing communication and accessibility, it would be ideal if it were accessible across all prominent mobile platforms. Fingers crossed, Microsoft plans to roll out an Android version following the completion of public testing for Microsoft Translator Pro.

Initially, it seemed like this function might necessitate Apple’s intelligent system, which could account for its availability exclusively on iOS. However, upon closer inspection, it appears that’s not the case. Microsoft Translator Pro merely demands a device running iOS 15 or later, whereas Apple’s intelligence system requires iOS 18.1 or higher.

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2024-11-21 20:39