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Microsoft rolls out translation bot for Live Messenger

Michael Stanclift   on 08 September 2008 - 21:54 · 12 comments & 56113 views

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Microsoft announced today a new translation bot for Windows Live Messenger, allowing users to translate strings of text to one of 12 different languages by simply sending a message to the bot. Users can take take advantage of this feature by adding "mtbot@hotmail.com" to their contact lists.

If you've got a friend in your contacts that a speaks a different language, you can invite them to a chat, include the mtbot, and translation will be performed for you on the fly. However, the team behind the project warns "because machine translation isn’t perfect, slang especially will give the engine trouble."

Currently available are English to/from: Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian (to English only), Spanish. Also available are Chinese Simplified to/from Chinese Traditional. They plan to add additional languages over the next few months.

Post a comment · Send to friend Comments · There are 12 additional comments
(1 reply) #1 vetHorrocks on 08 Sep 2008 - 22:03
Hmm. Neat
#1.1 Express on 08 Sep 2008 - 22:49
Couple more bots form Microsoft:
smarterchild@hotmail.com
Encarta@conversagent.com

More here

Last edited by Express on 09 Sep 2008 - 01:08
#2 The Canadian on 08 Sep 2008 - 22:46
This isn't new, I've been using it for months...!


#3 lylesback2 on 09 Sep 2008 - 00:03
News to me. Smartchild is just annoying lol.
#4 McoreD on 09 Sep 2008 - 00:28
So how do you change the source language once you set one already?
#5 theyarecomingforyou on 09 Sep 2008 - 03:48
Users can take take advantage of this feature by adding "mtbot@hotmail.com" to their contact lists.

I thought that mistake was very appropriate.
(1 reply) #6 Ultravires on 09 Sep 2008 - 04:31
hey does anyone know how to change the language after you select it? the bot doesn't seem to respond back with help or TBot
#6.1 pjak on 09 Sep 2008 - 05:44
type "TBot ?" for extended commands
#7 kaffra on 09 Sep 2008 - 07:24
very useful indeed.
#8 +DrunknMunky on 09 Sep 2008 - 10:27
Sounds pretty damn good
#9 +acxz on 09 Sep 2008 - 11:42
Google Talk has had something like this for a while now. Good to see it's making its way to other protocols as well, though.
#10 Dave Hybrid on 21 Oct 2008 - 12:26
Interesting article, a good read. It's actually given me a great idea for a project so thanks! Dave @ Computer Support.

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