What do you do when a friend sends you a voice note on WhatsApp, but you are at work, or attending a meeting? It gets even worse when you know that the voice note is something important and you feel the sudden urge to know what it says almost immediately.
Well, WhatsApp is already working on a solution. As per a recent report, WhatsApp might soon let you convert voice notes into text so that you can read what’s there in the voice note without having to play it. The feature was launched for iOS users initially, and now even Android users might get access to the feature.
As per a report in WA Beta Info, WhatsApp has recently introduced a feature that can be immensely helpful for users who want to know what’s inside a voice note but cannot play it. Initially launched for iOS users, the feature helps users convert voice messages into text, thus providing an alternative means of communication for people who may face challenges with audio playback or prefer text-based interactions. The report says that following the feature’s success in its implementation on iOS, WhatsApp has commenced testing the same functionality for Android users, signalling a significant stride towards inclusivity and convenience across its diverse user base.
In the latest beta version of WhatsApp for Android (version 2.24.7.8), users can transcribe voice messages into text format, thereby enabling them to read message content instead of relying solely on playing the voice note. It is worth noting that WhatsApp employs the device’s speech recognition capabilities to generate transcripts locally on the user’s device, safeguarding privacy and preserving the platform’s commitment to end-to-end encryption.
To use the feature when it releases, users will be prompted to download approximately 150MB of additional app data. The feature will be enabled by default but in some cases, users might have to enable it.
Upon enabling the transcription feature, you will encounter a notification prompting you to “Read before you listen with transcripts,” signalling the availability of transcribed message content.
The report also added that the feature is currently in the testing phase and is available to a limited number of beta users. WhatsApp, however, aims to roll out the feature to more users soon.