Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has introduced a new feature that allows users to transcribe voice messages into text- a huge help for situations where listening to voice messages is difficult. This feature has been in testing for several months and will now be available to all WhatsApp users worldwide in the coming weeks.
Transcription feature for voice messages
The new voice message transcription feature, when enabled, will generate a written transcript of voice messages received, allowing users to read the content instead of listening to it. These messages are transcribed directly on devices without needing an internet connection. This requires downloading an additional data package, but it keeps the process private because the transcriptions are done locally on the device, not on external servers.
The transcripts are created directly on the user’s device and protected with end-to-end encryption. To use the feature, users need to long-press a voice message and select the “transcribe” option. They can also enable or disable the transcription feature and choose their preferred language by navigating to Settings > Chats > Voice Message Transcripts.
Initially, the transcription will support a few languages, including English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian. WhatsApp has promised to expand the range of supported languages in future updates.
The feature was confirmed by Mark Zuckerberg through his official channel.
Message drafts feature to improve user experience
In addition to the voice message transcription, WhatsApp has also rolled out a new “Message Drafts” feature. This allows users to compose messages and save them for later. The drafts will appear at the top of the chat list, ensuring that users are reminded to finish and send their messages.
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