Abstract
- WhatsApp excels in convenience with support for passcode and voice messages. But the problem is poor feature parity in OS-specific apps.
- Android users could soon enjoy iOS-like voice message transcription. Beta versions show that promising updates are on the way.
- Changes are also expected in WhatsApp’s status update feature, which will allow for longer videos. However, the stable release dates are still uncertain.
WhatsApp excels at the practical side of messaging and stands out among our favorite encrypted messaging apps for features like password support and accessibility pieces like voice messages and cross-OS support. However, we struggled with poor feature parity in these OS-specific client applications. Developers are addressing this issue as recent beta versions of the app reveal that Android users could soon enjoy transcription of voice messages and longer video streams in status updates.
WhatsApp’s connected devices feature still needs a lot of work
Ignoring user experience in the relentless pursuit of new features must stop
Voice messages are a fantastic alternative to texting, especially when you’re short on time, or in the middle of a meal with dirty hands, or driving. WhatsApp even lets you change the playback speed of voice messages to save you a few seconds if the sender is repetitive or slow. However, support for voice message transcription has been around on iOS for almost a year now, but we haven’t seen anything like it on Android.
Things change with beta version 2.24.7.7, where respected app feature watcher AssembleDebug found lines of code that suggest transcripts should appear for the voice notes you receive. The feature will require 150MB of additional data, possibly as a one-time download, and should be listed below Settings → Conversations, just like it is on iOS. The code researcher also suggests that WhatsApp will use speech-to-text on the device to ensure encryption remains uncompromised.
A limited rollout for beta testers should be right around the corner, but “Why would you want to read a voice message?” you might ask. You see, transcripts are handy when you’re in quiet places like a library or when you’re listening to music that you just can’t stop. I also find reading texts more convenient than voice memos when I don’t have my headphones on, just to ensure privacy.
Beta gets even better
Videos in status updates may take longer
Speaking of beta testers, the Meta Devs are actively testing yet another practical change to the way WhatsApp status update sharing works. After digging into the 2.24.7.6 beta, WABetaInfo reports that several testers are able to post one-minute videos as their status updates, up from the current 30-second limit. The screenshot reveals that the long video was automatically shortened at the one-minute mark when it was uploaded as a status update.
Since the app doesn’t automatically split a longer video into consecutive status updates like Instagram does with Stories, sharing longer clips can quickly become cumbersome. Once widespread, this change could reduce the work of splitting shorter clips, and you won’t have to manually split longer ones into many smaller clips. A wider beta release is expected soon.
There’s no word on a firm release timetable for these features, though, and many of WhatsApp’s plans are still up in the air — we don’t know if transcription will differ from iOS and if HD status update sharing will be available for these longer one-minute clips, because that option doesn’t seem to be on the screenshot.