Tag Archives: recode code conference

Skype to Break Language Barriers with ‘Skype Translator’

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Skype translatorNeed to have a Skype video conference with someone overseas that doesn’t speak your language? In the near future this will be no problem because Skype has come up with Skype Translator, as it is being called for now.

The technology was demonstrated at the Recode Code Conference in California on Tuesday night. In the demonstration the two people on the Skype video call spoke different languages, one German speaking and the other English speaking. As we don’t know German very well here, the translator technology appeared work excellent. The conversation they had was not a simple one either. They discussed their plans to move to London and went into details about sight-seeing, moving with kids and different neighborhoods.

Each person takes their turn to speak and then there’s a short pause while Skype Translator translates what was said. It would send it back as text as well as spoken with an automated voice.

Microsoft, which purchased Skype back in 2011, has been working on the translation program for over 15 years. They think it will be available at the end of this year as a Windows 8 beta app. We will keep you posted.

via CNN

Google’s Self Driving Car

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Google's Self Driving CarNo brakes, no steering wheel, no gas pedal? Well, believe it or not, that’s no problem for Google’s self driving car.

Google announced the prototype for their self driving car on Tuesday night at the Recode Code Conference. Their hope with this type of vehicle is to end human error behind the wheel and to see if self-driving cars be significantly safer than human-driven cars in the next few years.

The prototype is a two-seater car that relies mainly on software and a built-in sensor system to drive the vehicle. Between the sensors and the software the car can find a GPS location, identify obstacles, classify obstacles and react. It will be able to tell the difference between a cyclist and a pedestrian, and then be able to predict their next move. Since it only travels at 25mph it gives itself plenty of time to react.

Numerous major car manufacturers are already looking into self driving technology. As it becomes more common the number of automobile accidents are expected to plunge to near zero because most accidents are caused by human error. Imagine, no drunk driving accidents, the elderly can have their freedom back and even the blind could get in this car.

via Forbes