WhatsApp is widely known as one of the leading messaging apps praised for its voice notes feature that offers both practicality and occasional challenges. While voice notes can be quite handy some users tend to misuse them by treating them as if they were phone calls.
There have been instances where received voice notes have gone on longer than a phone conversation, which can be a bit bothersome. However, there’s news on the horizon – WhatsApp is reportedly working on a feature that will transcribe voice notes into text messages.
The Upcoming New Feature of WhatsApp
The folks over at WABetaInfo were the first to spot this feature for WhatsApp on iOS and Android. It’s currently available in version 2.24.7.8. Allows users to convert their voice messages into text format.
This new functionality is expected to be a game changer for users who prefer reading messages over listening to them including myself as I’m not particularly fond of voice-based communication. The excitement surrounding the benefits of this feature is palpable.
Based on the screenshot provided it appears that WhatsApp for Android will soon incorporate this transcription feature. The screenshot details how users will be notified when the feature becomes accessible within the messaging app. It highlights the convenience of being able to read message transcripts before listening to them and mentions that enabling this option may require downloading around 150MB of app data.
WhatsApp uses the speech recognition capabilities of your device to offer encrypted transcripts that go from end to end. You’ll have to get the required resources for this feature to work. Once you do you can use it smoothly. However, the specific schedule for when this feature will be available, on the channel is currently uncertain.
Nonetheless, its inclusion in the beta version signals an exciting development, and anticipation is high for its availability for broader use. While the belief persists that this feature should have been integrated into the app’s core functionality from the outset, its eventual implementation is better late than never.