Friday, 26 January 2024, Bengaluru, India
Support for automatically generated transcripts in the Apple Podcasts app is one of the updates in iOS 17.4, which makes it simpler for viewers to follow along with their favorite episodes. Transcripts will be provided exclusively for English, French, German, and Spanish podcasts. This feature will be accessible in over 170 countries and regions.
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Users can view a live text version of an episode with highlighted words while listening, much like Apple Music does with lyrics. Additionally, users can tap any location on the transcript to start the episode at that particular point. Users click the new “quote” icon at the bottom of the Now Playing screen to access the transcript. Moreover, you can view the transcript without listening by holding down and choosing “View Transcript” from the episode information page.
Apple’s software automatically creates a transcript for each released episode. It makes sense that the business states there will be a “brief delay” while it processes the transcript, so it could not appear immediately after the episode is posted. Transcriptions of back catalog episodes will be provided “over time,” the business stated.
By modifying the Availability tab setting in Apple Podcasts Connect, creators can also make their transcripts available. It’s crucial to remember that uploaded transcripts that don’t match Apple’s requirements won’t be shown. For example, punctuation and spelling should be correct.
According to the business, cross-talk episodes where numerous people speak at once may “limit the quality of the transcription.” When content restrictions are activated, “explicit episodes” transcripts are likewise hidden. Apple also refuses to transcribe music lyrics.
With most of the changes impacting EU developers—such as a new cost structure, new frameworks and APIs for alternate browser engines, and new possibilities for distributing iOS apps from alternate app stores—Apple published iOS 17.4 in beta today. The public is anticipated to receive iOS 17.4 in March.
With the release of iOS 17.3 earlier this week, customers now have access to Apple Music’s collaborative playlists and Stolen Device Protection feature.
In summary, incorporating auto-generated transcripts in Apple Podcasts through the iOS 17.4 update represents a noteworthy user improvement. This feature presents a user-friendly and easily accessible method for listeners to interact with podcast content, as it delivers text versions of the audio. The provision of transcripts accommodates a broader audience, encompassing those with hearing impairments and individuals who prefer text-based content. Apple’s initiative aligns with the industry’s growing focus on inclusivity and enriches the Podcasts app’s overall user experience. As iOS undergoes further development, these advancements play a vital role in rendering podcasts more accessible, informative, and enjoyable for diverse users.
(Information Source: Techcrunch.com)
