A very big disadvantage
You will soon be able to read voice messages on WhatsApp
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Voice messages are sent quickly, but some people find them annoying to listen to. WhatsApp provides a solution with a new function. However, the new feature has a catch for now.
Voice messages are a popular WhatsApp feature if you want to avoid the annoying typing. But not every environment allows eavesdropping. The messenger service has now announced a new feature for this purpose. Users of the platform will soon be able to read the transcript of a voice message. The new feature will be rolled out globally in the coming weeks, the company said.
This automatically generates a text transcript of a received voice message and displays it in the same chat box. This should allow users to continue their conversation, regardless of where they are and what they are doing. The transcripts are only generated on the device, meaning WhatsApp does not have access to the audio or text.
The function can also be activated or deactivated manually via a new “Voice Message Transcripts” option in the “Chats” menu in the app settings. To transcribe an audio note, users can select the new “Transcribe” option that appears when long-pressing a voice message in chats.
Reverse image search will soon be possible
Transcription will initially only work with select languages, but WhatsApp has already confirmed that there are plans to add more languages to the list in the coming months. There is a small disadvantage for Android users: German is not among the transcription languages at the start of the function, in contrast to English, Portuguese, Spanish and Russian. Devices with iOS16, on the other hand, can use German as a language.
WhatsApp is also reportedly working on a reverse image search feature that will allow users to search shared images directly on the web. According to media reports, WhatsApp's new Search Web option for images will allow users to send an image to Google to see if it has been manipulated or misrepresented.
