WhatsApp to roll out voice note transcription for more user control
The feature is designed to meet the needs of users in places where listening is not possible or desirable.
WhatsApp is testing a new feature that will allow users to read voice notes instead of listening to them, offering more convenience in various situations.
The feature is designed to meet the needs of users in places where listening is not possible or desirable, and to support those with hearing challenges or who simply prefer reading messages.
The upcoming feature introduces more flexibility in how users handle voice messages, aiming to improve comfort, accessibility, and privacy.
With this option, users can choose how and when to convert voice messages into text, giving them more control over how they receive information.
In noisy areas where audio may not be heard clearly, or in quiet environments such as libraries or offices where sound might disturb others, the feature allows users to silently access the content of voice notes.
It is also expected to be helpful for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or experience difficulties processing spoken messages.
The new update is also geared toward users who prefer reading messages rather than listening, or those who may want to refer back to a conversation quickly without having to replay the audio.
It supports multitasking and time-saving by allowing fast access to message content in text format.
Users will have three choices with this feature.
The first is automatic transcription, which converts voice messages into text as soon as they are received.
This suits people who want instant access to the message without having to play it.
The second choice is manual transcription. This lets users decide when to transcribe a message.
It's designed for people who want more control over their data use or battery life, or who prefer to manage the feature according to their needs.
The final option allows users to turn off transcription completely.
Both automatic and manual transcription will be disabled, meaning voice messages remain in their original audio form.
This is ideal for people who are concerned about privacy or who do not want their voice notes converted into text.
By offering these three modes, WhatsApp aims to give users more power over how they interact with voice notes, whether for ease of use, privacy, or accessibility.
The feature is still in the testing phase and is currently only accessible to a limited group of Beta testers using iOS and Android. A wider release to all users has not yet been announced, according to WABetaInfo.