A new Transcribe feature is available today in Microsoft Word on the Web for paid Microsoft 365 subscribers. Designed to help writers and journalists instantly and easily transcribe in-person conversations or virtual interviews, Microsoft hopes the feature can help users save time and accomplish more throughout the day.
Like the Dictate feature that already turns spoken words into text in Word, Transcribe in Word on the Web in Microsoft 365 is seamless. It is currently available in any web browser by visiting Microsoft Word online and clicking the Home tab, followed by the down arrow next to the Dictate icon, and then the Transcribe button.
Transcribe in Word on the Web works in two time-saving ways. With the first, Microsoft 365 subscribers can record an interview or conference live through Word on the Web and get a transcript in the document right after it is completed. Subscribers can also upload a MP3 MP4 M4a, or WAV of an existing audio file to get a complete transcription of a prerecorded interview or even a web conference.
The feature will also be coming to Android and iOS versions of Word later this year, and Microsoft is looking into bringing it to Word on the desktop as well.
Powered by Microsoft’s Azure Cognitive Services, the feature works its artificial intelligence magic in the background. This means that even if you opt to record live, you can still take notes in the background and type your document as Word does its transcription. A typical transcription will take just a few minutes, according to Microsoft, and the feature cuts out the need to go through multiple apps.
Once a transcription is finished, recordings are stored in a Transcribed Files folder in OneDrive. Then, from a pop-out pane in Word on the Web, you will be free to select and edit certain points, add additional information, or correct typos from the automatic transcription. You also can insert certain or full excerpts into the document or play back the audio file right from inside Word on the Web.
Currently, audio can only be transcribed into English. There is also is a five-hour limit of transcription time per month for uploaded recordings and a file-size limit of 200mb. Microsoft says it is working to improve this, though, and that there is no limit to recording live.
“Whether its touch, pen, or voice, we want to enable everyone to work in the way that’s best for them so they can be more effective and focus on what matters most,” said Dan Parish, principal group program manager for Microsoft Office, during a virtual press briefing.
Also launching alongside the Transcribe in Word feature in Word will be some new voice command features for the existing Dictate feature. You’ll be able to say things like “start list,” or “bold last sentence” without stopping to adjust your text or touching the keyboard or the tabs on the screen.
Microsoft sees these features being used not only by journalists but also by students with learning differences who aren’t able to take notes at the same time as a lecture. The company even sees it being used by parents who are busy with their children during a virtual meeting.
“At Microsoft, we’re uniquely positioned to help provide a one-stop shop where your audio recording, transcript, notes, and your story can all live together in a single, familiar, secure tool so you don’t have to worry about fussing around with different windows and apps,” said Parish.
The absolutely absurd idea of putting a touchscreen display on a mouse isn't exactly new. Turtle Beach already did it with its Command Series MC7, which features a 2.25-inch control screen. But apparently, even that wasn't ridiculous enough for Arctic Fox Technologies. Its new Super Mouse looks like someone took the chunky old Atari ST mouse, slapped a touchscreen and scroll wheel on it, and called it an upgrade.
The result is a rather unusual-looking mouse that is now on Kickstarter, starting at $199. And as ridiculous as it looks, some of its features are genuinely intriguing.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
I've spent a good amount of time digging into the spec sheet of the new M6 MacBook Pro (14-inch), and for all intents and purposes, this is a classic Apple "chip and connectivity" refresh. It's not a full redesign. The chassis, Liquid Retina XDR panel, speakers, ports, and battery, all of them carry over unchanged.
However, the M6 brings more cores, stronger on-device AI, higher memory bandwidth on the larger configs, and modern wireless. Here’s the practical rundown of what actually improved, and whether those gains are worth your money.