Using Google Voice As A Free Transcription Service
by Ryan McKeen
Here’s something, I’m toying around with. Last night, I attended a meeting out of the office. For a variety of reasons, I did not want to take written notes during the meeting. When I don’t want to take notes, I usually jot down my notes after the meeting, while sitting either in my car or at home.
As I was driving home, I thought the process of taking notes after a meeting seemed too 20th century for this Millennial. I started thinking: there had to be some technology out there that could transcribe my modest notes without wasting staff time.
I got home and looked through the Android Market and decided that no app really did what I wanted it to do for the price I wanted it (free). Transcription services generally cost about 1.5 cents per word, which can add up quickly (especially if I’ve had a coffee).
Then it struck me. I already had what I needed: Google Voice. Google Voice is pretty cool. In addition to it being wildly popular and providing low cost long distance service, it also has the ability to transcribe voice messages and send them via email.
Aha! I can call my Google Voice number after a meeting and have my notes pretty much instantly transcribed and emailed to me at zero cost.
To get it, you need an invite from either Google or someone with Google Voice invites. And unfortunately, I am out of invites.
Google Voice is not without its drawbacks. The accuracy of the transcription is not where it needs to be. It doesn’t clearly transcribe everything you say. But for free, it’s pretty good.
And before I get flooded with emails about privacy concerns, those concerns are beyond the scope of this post. Many people have voiced privacy concerns about Google and “the cloud.” You’re free to search “lawyers privacy concerns google gmail google voice” if you want.
March 11th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Hi Ryan,
I have been using Google Voice for about six months and I’m happy with it except that you’re actually using Google’s voice mail box instead of your service provides mail box, and also you don’t get notice of voice mails in your cell phone since all the voice mails are going to Google’s number that they provided for free. Other than that I’m happy with it. Also I like how they even censor when some one leaves F word in your voice mail.
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Ryan Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
I know someone who needs an Android powered phone. I use Google Voice as my cell phone’s voicemail. Transcribed messages are both seen in my Google Voice App and emailed to my work email account.
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