Communication technology has grown exponentially over the past decades, giving people a plethora of options to make and receive calls. These days the only barrier left standing preventing efficient communication is the language barrier.

Microsoft wants to change the future of communication with Skype and its new language translator tool, reports CNN. Before the end of 2014, Microsoft plans to release a beta for "Skype Translator." It is an app that enables real-time language translations of verbal communication over the internet. According to CNN, Microsoft has confirmed that the beta will be initially available for PC users running Windows 8. Eventually, it will be released for other platforms as well. Microsoft has integrated the real-time translator tool they have been developing for over ten years with Skype, reports PC World. The technology was actually demoed by Microsoft two years ago at a computing conference in Tianjin, China. During the conference, Microsoft Research chief Rich Rashid had his speech translated from English to Chinese real-time.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella (photo), and Microsoft corporate vice president for Lync and Skype Gurdeep Pall (photo) also demoed the app when they took the stage during the inaugural Code Conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Gurdeep Pall spoke in English through a Skype-conducted call with a German speaking colleague, Diana Heinrichs. The Skype translator tool was able to effectively interpret Pall's English language into German. The demo showed the software displaying real-time translation as a text on the bottom part of the receiver's Skype screen, while a synthetic voice reads out the translation.

Microsoft made the decision to integrate the language translator tool directly with Skype instead of creating a separate application, since Skype is the most used online communication program by consumers. Skype is also available in a wide range of devices and across all operating system platforms, making it easy for Microsoft to create an app designed for these devices in the future.

Microsoft acquired Skype, the London-based company in 2011. With over 300 million monthly users, Skype is clearly the most popular online communication platform and having the translator tool could break the language barrier among these users.