WhatsApp is finally gearing up to launch the voice message transcription feature for Android users. This is a new feature that has been available to iOS users since May 2023. It looks like it will finally be coming to Android.
This update puts WhatsApp on par with other apps like Google Messages and Telegram, which already introduced this functionality. Although there are some limitations for non-privileged users in case of Telegram.
What changes with the new update
With the latest beta version of WhatsApp, 2.24.7.7, the company has started implementing this long-awaited feature. Detailed APK analysis by ThisSPAndroid I revealed some interesting lines of code that give an idea of how this function works:
- To activate the burn, you'll need to download 150MB of new data from the app;
- The transcription will use the device's speech recognition system to provide end-to-end encrypted texts. This ensures that the encryption process is not compromised;
- This option should appear in Settings in your chats list, like it does on iOS.
This means that users will be able to read voice messages before listening to them. This gives greater flexibility in the way you interact with this type of content. The need to download 150MB of data means that the copying will be performed on the device itself, ensuring users' privacy and security.
When will it be available?
Although it is still in the development stage, the voice message transcription feature is expected to be available to WhatsApp beta users soon. As of now, no screenshots or further details about the exact launch date have been shared.
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