Transcription: WhatsApp converts voice messages to text 120 comments
Image: Surprising_SnapShots
WhatsApp now allows you to convert voice messages to text so that you can read the contents of a voice message even if you are on the move and not without being disturbed, for example. This transcript first appeared in a beta version of WhatsApp during the summer of this year.
Processing directly on the device
WhatsApp integrates the ability to convert voice messages to text directly in Messenger. According to WhatsApp, transcriptions are created directly on the user’s device, so they do not need to be uploaded to the cloud and processed again before the text is available. This also ensures that no one else can listen or read the personal messages.
This is how transcriptions can be used in WhatsApp
To use the new feature, users need to enable the transcription feature in WhatsApp under “Settings > Chats > Voicemail Transcriptions”. The language of transcriptions can also be set in this menu – WhatsApp can also translate voice messages directly. To get a transcription of a voice message, long-press the voice message, then tap Transcribe. Based on user feedback, WhatsApp may want to adapt the function in the future and make it more convenient. For example, there is currently no option to automatically and immediately transcribe every voicemail message you receive.
Voicemail transcriptions in WhatsApp (Image: WhatsApp)
Only 4 languages on Android
Transcriptions will initially roll out globally for a few select languages in the coming weeks, WhatsApp explains. The company only reveals which languages these are in the FAQ. These reveal that the supported languages depend on the operating system. Currently, only English, Portuguese, Spanish and Russian are available on Android. The summer beta still offered Hindi, but it is not integrated at the moment. However, on iOS, as of iOS 16, English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, Chinese and Arabic are supported, and as of iOS 17, Danish, Finnish, Hebrew, Malay, Norwegian, Danish, Swedish and Thai. On iOS, using Siri with “Hey Siri” must also be enabled to use the feature. WhatsApp plans to add more languages in the coming months.
Topics: Android Apps Apps Instant Messaging iOS App Communication Smartphones WhatsApp
Sarah tracks innovations in smartphones, evaluating their performance, design, and key features.
