Photo Credit: Reuters 3v6d2p
WhatsApp was last spotted working on voice note transcription in 2021
WhatsApp is working on the ability to schedule calls on an version of the messaging app, according to details shared by a feature tracker. The popular messaging service could let s schedule calls with of the same group, who will be notified when the call begins. WhatsApp is also working on the ability to transcribe voice notes, several months after it was first spotted in development. Transcriptions could take place on the device, and may only be ed on recent smartphones.
According to details shared by WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo, the Meta-owned messaging service is developing a new feature that will allow s in a group chat to schedule a call. The feature could come in handy for groups where the have agreed to a specific time for a call. The feature is still in development, which means that beta testers cannot currently try out the ability to schedule calls.
A screenshot of the feature shared by WABetaInfo, likely via reverse engineering, shows a new Schedule Call option that appears when selecting the call button on version 2.23.4.4 of WhatsApp beta for Android. Tapping the option displays a card that allows s to enter a title, select a date and time, and then tap the Create button. According to the image, s will be notified when a call is scheduled and when the call begins.
Scheduled calls (left) on Android and voice transcription (right) on iOS
Photo Credit: WABetaInfo
Meanwhile, the feature tracker also working on such a feature back in 2021. WABetaInfo says that development of the feature was paused for unknown reasons, while version 23.3.0.73 of WhatsApp beta for iOS includes signs that the service may roll out the feature with an update.
The screenshot shared by WABetaInfo shows a pop-up card with an error explaining why transcripts for a specific message aren't available. The message informs the that transcription may not be available when no words are recognised, or when a hasn't set transcripts to the language the voice message was sent in.
WhatsApp's voice transcription feature was spotted on iOS, and WABetaInfo says that the transcription will take place on a 's device. This should mean that neither WhatsApp nor Apple will have access to your voice messages, which are end-to-end encrypted. However, this also suggests that the feature may require a recent version of iOS (which means that only recent iPhone models may the feature) according to the feature tracker
It is worth noting that the messaging service is still in the process of developing these features, and is yet to announce a date for their release. As with all beta features, the company could drop or halt development in favour of another feature.
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