WhatsApp is testing the transcription of voice messages

WABetaInfo found two features in the current beta versions of WhatsApp for iOS and Android that are not yet available in the stable build.

Yes, on iOS being tested the ability to decrypt voice messages. This feature began to be developed back in the fall of 2021, but work on it was soon stopped, probably to free up hands for more urgent tasks. Now, it looks like it's close to being finished, because the interface for it has already been added to the beta.

The screenshot above indicates the reasons why decryption may not be available for a particular message. There are two of them: either in the message it was not possible to recognize a word, or the interlocutor does not speak the language that you have chosen for transcripts in the settings. It is noteworthy that decryption occurs locally on the device: voice messages are not downloaded to the Network.

It is not yet clear whether this feature will be free or included in the WhatsApp Premium subscription, which started testing at the end of last year.

Parallel in beta for Android noticed new action option in groups: "Schedule a call". The user will be able to specify the name, and then select the date and time of the call. After that, all participants will receive a notification.

Both of these features are currently only available to select users of beta versions of WhatsApp and have not been officially announced, so the release dates are not yet known.