Is Google's Live Caption feature on Android Q game-changing?
At I/O 2019, Google lived up to our expectations by unveiling affordable yet equally impressive Pixel phones. But, that wasn't just it; the tech giant even brought some fancy Android Q surprises on the table, including a feature called Live Caption. It works without the internet and has been designed specifically to upgrade your content-consumption experience. Here's all about the new capability.
So, what is Live Caption?
As the name suggests, Live Caption is a digitized transcription of audio or video played on an Android Q device. These transcriptions show up on the screen in real-time, just as the clip or audio message plays. Google says the capability can be a bane for users who want to consume content but are unable to do so due to severe hearing problems.
Live Caption would work with everything, any app
Though Google has been showing real-time captions on YouTube for a long time, the new capability expands the same to other apps, players. Basically, with Android Q, you would be able to get real-time transcriptions for any audio message, podcast or video that plays on any app. This could be VLC media player, Instagram, or even a clip that you are shooting yourself.
Also, Live Caption will transcribe video calls
Along with videos you shoot and play, Live Caption will also transcribe video calls you'll make on an Android Q device. This means that regardless of whatever service you choose, the voice of the other person would be transcribed on the screen. Now, this won't just help the deaf but also save you from the trouble of turning the volume up in public.
Machine learning works in the background
The transcription of audio/video is done with the help of machine learning, which works on the phone itself and doesn't share any information with Google. They show up in a black box that can be moved around but can't be saved for reviewing later.
How can you use Live Caption
Once the feature hits Android Q, you'd be able to use it by hitting either volume down or up button. This will bring up the volume slider under which you will find the toggle for Live Caption. Just tap on it and continue playing the video, where the black box showing captions will appear; you can tap on it to see the full text.
