Ending Soon! Save 33% on All Access

Facebook Testing a Feature That Will Turn Voice Clips Into Text The idea is to make it easier for users to get audio messages when they are in situations that make listening to a recording inconvenient.

By Laura Entis

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Shutterstock

Facebook is trial testing a new feature for its Messenger app, in which received audio clips can be automatically transcribed into text.

Currently, it's possible to send voice messages through the app. From the sender's side, the feature can be a convenient alternative to typing, but on the receiving end, there are many situations where it's difficult to stop and listen to the audio clip.

Related: Facebook Is Going to Know Even More About You Now

Allowing users to convert audio clips to text could solve this problem. "So, for example, if you're at a concert or in a meeting, and would prefer to read a voice clip from a friend, you now can if you're part of the small test we're rolling out," David Marcus, Facebook's vice president of messaging products, wrote on Friday.

No word as of yet on when the feature will be available for most users. "Our plan is to test this feature at a tiny scale for now and we're looking forward to seeing what you think of it before making the experience more widely available," Marcus said.

While he did not reference Facebook's recent acquisition of speech recognition startup Wit.ai, analysts predicted at the time that the purchase signaled Facebook's move into voice messaging.

Related: Facebook Is Rolling Out a 'Call-to-Action' Feature for Businesses

Laura Entis is a reporter for Fortune.com's Venture section.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

Did OpenAI steal Scarlett Johansson's voice? 5 Critical Lessons for Entrepreneurs in The AI Era

Did OpenAI steal Scarlett Johansson's voice? OpenAI has since paused the "Sky" voice feature, but Johansson argues that this is no coincidence. In response, Johansson delivers a masterclass for entrepreneurs on navigating the AI era successfully.

Business News

Apple iPhone 7 Users May Be Owed a Slice of a $35 Million Settlement — Here's How to Claim Your Share

Previous (and current, no judgment) iPhone 7 users may be entitled to up to $349. The deadline to file a claim is June 3.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Innovation

How Corporate Investment Helps Startups Deploy Technology Faster Than Ever

Financial resources, strategic alignment, access to expertise, market validation and operational support make this deployment possible.