WhatsApp has unveiled a new feature that aims to address one of the common challenges users face when sending and receiving voice messages – the difficulty of listening to them, especially in noisy environments or when multitasking.
The messaging app has introduced a voice message transcription tool, which automatically converts voice messages into text, making it easier for users to keep up with conversations without having to listen to audio clips.
The feature that WhatsApp announced today is designed to help users manage voice messages more effectively, particularly when they are unable to listen to them. Whether you’re in a crowded space or need to read the message silently, this transcription tool provides a convenient solution.
The text version of the voice message will appear directly under the message, ensuring that recipients can read it at their convenience.
This transcription feature is rolling out globally over the coming weeks for both Android and iOS users. The transcripts are generated directly on the user’s device, ensuring that “no one else, not even WhatsApp, can hear or read your personal messages,” WhatsApp assured users that their personal messages remain secure and private, with the transcriptions being processed locally on the device.
While the feature is designed to improve the convenience of voice messaging, WhatsApp clarified that it will be disabled by default when it becomes available.
Users who wish to enable the feature can do so by navigating to their settings, selecting “Chats,” and then activating the “Voice message transcripts” option.
The voice message transcriptions are expected to support several languages. Initially, Android users will have access to transcripts in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, and Hindi, while iOS users will benefit from a wider range of languages.
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On iOS 16, supported languages include English, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Turkish, Chinese, and Arabic.
Additionally, iOS 17 and later will support even more languages, including Danish, Finnish, Hebrew, Malay, Norwegian, Dutch, Swedish, and Thai.
To transcribe a voice message, users can long press on the message and select the “transcribe” option. The feature will be particularly beneficial in situations where listening to voice messages may not be feasible, such as in meetings, public spaces, or when using headphones isn’t an option.
WhatsApp’s new voice message transcription feature strikes a balance between the ease of recording voice messages and the sometimes cumbersome task of listening to them.
By offering a text alternative, WhatsApp enhances the user experience, ensuring that conversations remain accessible no matter the situation. The company has also stated that it plans to expand language support over time, making the feature even more inclusive for its global user base.
As the feature continues to roll out, WhatsApp users can look forward to more seamless and versatile communication, combining the best of both voice and text messaging.
