- Apple is adding automatic, searchable transcripts to all Podcast episodes.
- The new feature will arrive with iOS 17.4 and will automatically transcribe any episode submitted to Apple’s Podcast catalog, as long as it’s in English, Spanish, German or French.
- New Podcasts released will be transcribed and indexed immediately, with back catalog episodes added as they are processed.
Apple is adding automatic, searchable transcripts to all Podcast episodes. This feature will only be available for those using Apple’s own Podcast app. The new feature will arrive with iOS 17.4 and will automatically transcribe any episode submitted to Apple’s Podcast catalog, as long as it’s in English, Spanish, German or French. New Podcasts released will be transcribed and indexed immediately, with back catalog episodes added as they are processed. Ubiquitous, accurate, searchable transcripts of podcasts are a huge win for accessibility and knowledge sharing, but Apple’s approach is typical of today’s platforms, which prefer to lock down user-generated data rather than share it on the public web for a competitive advantage. Thanks to Apple’s new tools, listeners will be able to read the text, search, and play the corresponding sound by tapping on the results. This is a really useful integration for Podcast listeners.
Thanks to searchable text, people with hearing difficulties will be able to read what they are listening to. Additionally, software will be able to summarize the conversations and everyone will be able to translate them into their own language. While podcast transcripts are only available to listeners on Apple’s Podcast app, transcripts are also available to Podcast creators. In Apple’s online Podcast Connect tool, creators will be able to access and edit transcripts. Creators will also be able to make these transcripts available on their websites if they wish.
“For every episode I produce, I post a transcript on my website,” Michelle Glogovac, also known as Podcast Matchmaker, told Lifewire via email. “Thanks to our developing technology, obtaining transcripts is much easier, more affordable, and even free in some cases.”
“I think ensuring accessibility does not only depend on Podcast listening platforms, but also on the podcasts’ hosts,” Glogovac said. “Apple Podcast removes a step Podcasters already have to take, but that doesn’t mean a transcript shouldn’t still be available on the host’s website or another listening platform.” says.
Apple’s transcription is a useful tool and much better than not transcribing at all, but it’s annoying that this system isn’t accessible outside of Apple’s apps. Apple’s system in this regard follows a trend of locking user-generated media behind a paywall or login process.
Compiled by: Fatma Ebrar Tuncel
