US-based video-conferencing platform Zoom has stated that its live transcription feature will be made free for all users in the fall of 2021.
Live transcription or automatic closed captioning provides robot transcription services, which enables speech-to-text transcription in Zoom Meetings and Zoom Webinars. This service is currently a paid functionality in the application, but according to the company, it will be made freely available to all users this year.
Automatic closed captioning is part of Zoom Meetings accessibility features that also include keyboard accessibility, pinning or spotlighting interpreter video, screen reader support, and a range of other accessibility settings. The real-time captions during video calls will reduce the chances of miscommunication during conference meetings between users from different regions.
According to the statements, the live transcription will be now available to any host who urgently needs it. For this purpose, it is asking users to sign up by filling an online form and asking for free access to the feature. Upon request from meeting hosts, Zoom will be offering live transcription to those accounts. Once the requested account has live transcription allowed, the user will receive a confirmation email with more information.
Zoom says on its support page that ‘live transcription’ currently only supports English and that users need to speak clearly for better performance. The accuracy of Zoom’s live transcription feature relies on several factors, such as background noise, volume and clarity of the speaker’s voice, speaker’s proficiency with the English language, and lexicons and dialects specific to geography or community.
Zoom has introduced new updates earlier this month, including a virtual receptionist feature available in the Zoom Rooms Kiosk Mode.
