font size="2">Google plans to upgrade its translation app to add automatic recognition of spoken languages and automatic audio-to-text transcription, according to the New York Times. Google Translate provides automated text translation to and from 90 languages.

But a future update to the app is expected to add the ability to recognize which language is spoken and to produce an instant transcript of the words spoken. According to the New York Times, the updated app could also be capable of translating signs and information panels seen in the streets, regardless of the language they are written in.

Moicrosoft has already launched its Skype Translator in a test version. The idea behind this automatic interpreting tool is to allow people who speak different languages to converse over video-conference.

Skype Translator transcribes the speaker's words using a speech recognition program. The transcribed text is then translated through Bing Translator and finally read aloud by a vocal synthesizer. A text transcript of the call is also displayed on the screen.

Microsoft says its system rbecomes more accurate the more it is used.