Microsoft showcases Indian language input tools

HYDERABAD, INDIA: Microsoft showcased a set of tools that help users enter Indian language text into computers easily and quickly, at the Microsoft India Development Center here today.

The beta version of the tools will be made available as a free download soon and will initially support the following six languages – Bengali, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu, said a press release.

Microsoft said these tools have been engineered by the Emerging Markets Labs (EM Labs) team of the Microsoft India Development Center (MSIDC) and the technology can be leveraged to support other syllabic languages beyond Indian languages.

These input tools use free-form transliteration. Users spell Indian language words in a natural (phonetic) way using English alphabet, which the tools transliterate into the right words in the chosen Indian language.

“There is a huge demand to consume and interact with Indian language content today. Tools that make it easy to search, communicate and create content in Indian languages are key for broader computing adoption and the tools we are showcasing today are aimed at addressing this need,” said Srini Koppolu, Corporate VP and managing director, MSIDC.

He said the desktop version is unique among the free-form transliteration offerings in the market today, in that it enables the user to enter Indian language text directly into any application running on Microsoft Windows, such as Microsoft Word or Windows Live Messenger.

“The web version allows the user to enter text on any web page without requiring software download. The visual keyboard enables users who are not familiar with English alphabet to visually select and directly enter Indian language characters.” added Srini.