WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will help every generation communicate in the way they prefer
(Picture: Kev Costello/Unsplash)WhatsApp is reportedly working on a feature that would allow users to transcribe voice notes — an update that could ease communication between generations.
While voice notes are more popular among the younger generations like millennials and Gen Z, older generations like Gen X and Boomers usually prefer texting.
Now, multi-generational families may get to experience the best of both communication methods with voice note transcriptions.
According to TechRound, 33 per cent of respondents aged between 18 to 24 say they regularly use voice notes to communicate with friends, with 59 per cent of the age group saying that voice notes were quicker and easier to send.
On the other hand, only five per cent of Boomers use voice notes to communicate, according to WhatGadget.
In March 2022, WhatsApp revealed that its users send around 7 billion voice notes on average per day. Currently, users can pause and fast-forward voice notes, and listen to drafts before sending.
WhatsApp says that voice notes allow for “more expressive conversations” and argues that “showing emotion or excitement through voice is more natural than text”.
The voice note transcription feature was first reported to be in development in September 2021 but was interrupted for an unknown reason, as reported by wabetainfo.com.
According to a WhatsApp beta for iOS update, it is now working on the feature again.
A screenshot shared by wabetainfo.com shows that WhatsApp is working on an error message explaining why a transcription may not be available, such as “no words were recognised” or “the feature was set to a different language”.
The voice notes will only be available to the sender and the recipient as the transcription will be performed locally on the device. Therefore, WhatsApp and Apple will not have access to the content.
The transcription feature is still under development, so it’s unclear when it will be released.
