WhatsApp introduces transcriptions of voice messages in Android beta

WhatsApp is introducing a new feature in its Android beta app, version 2.24.15.5, that allows users to transcribe voice messages. This highly anticipated feature, which has been available to iOS users since May 2023, is now accessible to Android beta testers. It promises to improve the user experience by converting audio messages into text, making it easier to understand long or difficult to understand messages.

Supported languages

The voice message transcription feature supports five languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian and Hindi. Users are required to download an additional voice data pack to ensure transcriptions are generated on their devices and privacy and security are maintained. This on-device processing ensures that all transcriptions remain end-to-end encrypted, consistent with WhatsApp’s commitment to protecting user privacy.

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User experience and accessibility

The transcription feature is particularly useful in situations where listening to voice messages is not possible. It allows users to read messages instead, which is more convenient in noisy environments or during meetings. In addition, it helps improve the understanding of longer voice messages, allowing users to quickly grasp the content without having to play the audio multiple times.

Availability and rollout

According to WABetaInfo, the feature is currently available to some beta testers through the Google Play Beta program. The rollout is apparently gradual, and not all beta users will have immediate access. Users can enable the feature by navigating to the Chats option in the app settings, where they will be prompted to download the required voice data pack.

Future prospects and expansion

WhatsApp has not yet announced a specific release date for the stable version of this feature on Android, but since it is available in beta, it is expected to reach the wide user base in the coming weeks. The company also plans to expand the range of supported languages ​​to potentially improve the usability of the feature in different regions.

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In addition to the voice message transcription feature, WhatsApp is reportedly testing a dedicated video note mode for its camera interface. This mode would introduce a video note recording button that would be placed alongside the existing video and photo options in the camera UI. This new feature has been spotted in beta versions for both Android and iOS platforms and indicates WhatsApp’s continuous efforts to improve its multimedia capabilities.