Google Docs voice typing feature, which lets you “type” and edit text using your voice and a microphone instead of your hands and a keyboard, gets a few major upgrades.
First, the feature will be extended to “most major browsers.” Currently, Google’s support page notes that it’s “only available in Chrome browsers.Second is that it is being upgraded to “reduce transcription errors and minimize lost audio during transcription.”
As 9to5Google notes, voice typing has been available in Google Docs for over half a decade, enabling users to get words onto the (virtual) page even when their hands are full or otherwise unable to type traditionally. It can also work as a handy transcription tool in a pinch, but as our guide explains, you might be better off with a dedicated piece of transcription software in most cases.
Frustratingly, while Google’s announcement says the feature is coming to “most major browsers”, it doesn’t specify exactly That browsers these are. At the very least, we hope it’s now officially supported in other Chromium-based browsers like Microsoft Edge (where users report it has not worked in the past), but “major browsers” would presumably include Safari and Firefox. We’ve reached out to Google for clarification.
In addition to the improvements coming to Google Docs, the search giant says voice-activated speaker notes in Google Slides “will now include auto-generated punctuation.” The enhanced voice typing features should roll out to all users by the middle of next month.
Janice has been with businesskinda for 5 years, writing copy for client websites, blog posts, EDMs and other mediums to engage readers and encourage action. By collaborating with clients, our SEO manager and the wider businesskinda team, Janice seeks to understand an audience before creating memorable, persuasive copy.