Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL;DR
- An APK teardown revealed WhatsApp is engaged on a brand new function for the Android model of the app.
- The brand new function would enable Android customers to transcribe voice messages.
- Voice message transcription was beforehand solely obtainable on the iOS app.
WhatsApp rolled out voice message transcription again in Could 2023, however it was solely obtainable to customers on iOS. It’s been virtually a 12 months since then, however it appears like WhatsApp could lastly convey the function over to Android quickly.
An APK teardown helps predict options that will arrive on a service sooner or later based mostly on work-in-progress code. Nonetheless, it’s attainable that such predicted options could not make it to a public launch.
In an APK teardown of WhatsApp beta model 2.24.7.7, the parents over at TheSpAndroid found strings of code that counsel a brand new function is in improvement for the Android model of the app. The strings discuss with end-to-end encrypted transcripts. Particularly, the strings of code included:
- To allow transcripts, 150MB of latest app information will probably be downloaded.
- Allow
- Learn earlier than you hear with transcripts
- “WhatsApp makes use of your machine’s speech recognition to offer end-to-end encrypted transcripts. Be taught extra”
- Activate transcripts
It seems that earlier than the function will be enabled, customers should obtain 150MB of information first. The function will then depend on the machine’s speech-recognition software program to work. You’ll seemingly be capable of discover the function beneath Chats once you go into Settings.
Though the strings of code are there, the outlet was unable to make use of the function. It’s attainable the function isn’t activated but, which suggests it’s nonetheless in early improvement.
It’s unclear when WhatsApp is planning to roll out voice message transcription for Android. Nevertheless it’s essential to needless to say, as with every APK teardown, there’s no assure the function will ever be launched publicly.