App Development
Create Apps Like Otter.ai: Best Speech-to-Text Transcription Service
March 22, 2023
Speech-to-text transcription helps individuals and organizations that deal with audio or video recordings and need an accurate and reliable way to convert speech into written text!
Transcription services refer to translating audio or video recording into an easy-to-read word document format. It can be in any language. Video (.mp4) or audio (.mp3) files are converted into .doc or .docx. A transcriptionist is a person who is responsible for listening to live or recorded lessons and converting them into written resources, converting subtitles into subheadings.
Transcription can be extremely time-consuming unless you know just how much to take and how much to leave. Also, audio files can come in various formats and you need an appropriate transcription service for each recording you wish to produce.
What do transcriptionists do?
They translate the audio-visual file into a word document with the simplest formatting. Transcribed material can be translated into any language. Many factors affect the time it takes to complete a transcription. Companies charge per hour of work and not per minute of the recording.
Why are transcription services useful?
Speech-to-text transcription apps are useful for anyone who needs an accurate and reliable way to convert audio or video recordings into written text. They save time, provide accessibility, and enable efficient documentation and analysis of information. Speech-to-text transcription is used by app development agencies for several reasons, including:
- Accurate documentation: Transcription services provide an accurate and reliable way to document audio or video recordings. This is particularly useful in industries such as business, legal, and healthcare where accurate documentation is critical. Transcribing speeches, lectures, interviews, or meetings into text allows for easy and accurate documentation of important information.
- Time-saving: Transcription services save time by eliminating the need for manual transcription or note-taking. This allows individuals to focus on other tasks while the transcription is being completed. Speech-to-text transcription can save time compared to manual transcription or note-taking. It also allows for multitasking while listening to audio or video recording.
- Accessibility: Transcribing speech into text provides accessibility for people with hearing disabilities who may not be able to hear or understand the spoken word.
- Searchability: Transcribed documents can be easily searched and indexed, making it easy to find specific information or keywords quickly. Text-based documents can be easily searched and indexed, making it easy to find specific information or keywords quickly.
- Translation: Transcription services are often a crucial step in translating audio or video content into different languages or dialects. Transcription is often a crucial step in translating audio or video content into different languages or dialects.
- Analysis: Transcribed documents can be used for analysis purposes, such as sentiment analysis, identifying key themes or topics, or identifying patterns or trends. Transcription can be used for analysis purposes, such as sentiment analysis, identifying key themes or topics, or identifying patterns or trends.
- SEO benefits: Transcribed content can be used to improve the search engine optimization (SEO) of an app. Search engines can index and rank transcribed content, which can improve the visibility of the app and attract more users.
Transcription services can be a valuable tool for app development agencies looking to improve the efficiency and accuracy of their workflow.
Types of speech-to-text transcription services required?
Speech-to-text transcription services are a great way to convert audio or video recordings into written text. There are many professional services available that can handle a variety of transcription needs, including:
- Rev – Rev is a popular speech-to-text transcription service that offers quick and accurate transcription services for a variety of industries and uses cases, including business, academic, and legal.
- TranscribeMe – TranscribeMe is another well-known speech-to-text transcription service that specializes in quick and accurate transcription services. They offer a variety of options for turnaround time, file types, and transcription quality.
- GoTranscript – GoTranscript is a transcription service that offers affordable rates and fast turnaround times. They have a large team of professional transcriptionists and a variety of options for transcription accuracy and quality.
- Scribie – Scribie is a speech-to-text transcription service that specializes in high-quality, affordable transcription services. They have a user-friendly platform and offer a variety of options for file types, turnaround times, and transcription accuracy.
- Speechpad – Speechpad is a transcription service that offers accurate and reliable transcription services for a variety of industries and use cases. They have a team of experienced transcriptionists and offer a variety of options for turnaround time, file types, and transcription quality.
These are just a few examples of speech-to-text transcription services available on the market, but there are many more to choose from depending on your needs and preferences.
What is a transcription app?
Speech-to-text (STT) technology, also known as automatic speech recognition (ASR), converts spoken words into written text. Here’s a general overview of how STT works:
- Audio Input: The first step is to capture the audio input, usually via a microphone or some other type of recording device. The audio is then digitized and processed as a series of digital samples.
- Acoustic Analysis: The digitized audio is then analyzed to identify individual sounds, known as phonemes. The software uses acoustic models to match these phonemes to specific sounds or words.
- Language Modeling: Once the sounds have been identified, the software uses language models to determine which words and phrases will most likely be used in the given context. Language models take into account factors such as grammar, syntax, and vocabulary to produce the most accurate transcription possible.
- Output: Finally, the software produces a written transcription of the spoken words, which can be displayed on a screen, saved as a text file, or used in other applications as needed.
There are many different approaches to speech-to-text technology, and some systems may use additional steps or techniques to improve accuracy and performance.
Working Principle Transcription app for speech-to-text
Several transcription apps are available that use speech-to-text technology to convert spoken words into written text. Each with its own features and functionality. Here are some popular options:
- Otter.ai: Otter.ai is a popular app for transcribing meetings, interviews, and other audio recordings. It uses advanced speech recognition algorithms to produce accurate transcriptions, and also includes features such as speaker identification and real-time collaboration.
- Otter Voice Notes – a transcription app that allows you to transcribe conversations, meetings, lectures, and interviews. It has a built-in AI algorithm that helps to identify and separate different speakers.
Similar Transcription Applications:
- Rev Voice Recorder: Rev Voice Recorder is a free app that allows users to record and transcribe audio files. It uses advanced speech recognition technology to produce accurate transcriptions, and also includes editing tools to help users refine their transcriptions as needed.
- Dragon Anywhere: Dragon Anywhere is a professional-grade speech recognition app that can transcribe speech into text in real-time. It also includes various customization options, allowing users to tailor the app to their specific needs and preferences.
- Google Docs Voice Typing: Google Docs Voice Typing is a built-in feature of Google Docs that allows you to dictate and transcribe your voice in real-time. It is a free tool that allows users to dictate text directly into a Google Doc. It uses Google’s speech recognition technology to produce accurate transcriptions and includes various formatting options to help users create polished documents.
- Dragon Dictation – a free app that allows you to dictate messages, emails, and social media posts.
- SpeechTexter – a free app that allows you to dictate text and transcribe your voice into a document or email.
- Transcribe – a paid app that offers audio and video transcription services with a built-in text editor.
- Rev Voice Recorder – a free app that allows you to record audio and transcribe your voice into text.
- Temi – a paid app that offers audio and video transcription services with a 100% accuracy guarantee.
These are just a few examples of speech-to-text transcription apps available on the market, but many other transcription apps are available, and the best option will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
Otter.ai App Features
Here’s a breakdown of their features and some upcoming ones:
- Pre-recorded audio/video files
- Live captions for Zoom and Google Meet
- Playback Control
- Custom Vocabulary
- Otter Assitant for Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet
- Edit text
- Speakers
- Time Codes
- Inline images
- Share via groups and links
- Speaker name identification
- Highlight
- Export audio, text, and captions
- My agenda
- Add images
- Team members
- Usage analytics
- Comment
- Folders
- Team vocab and speakers
- Connect calendars (Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, iOS Calendar)
- Two-factor authentication
- Single sign-on (SSO)
So, if you spend the whole day in meetings, you won’t really get sufficient time to jot down notes. It is then, that you require note-taking automation tools like Otter.ai. This app uses speech-to-text technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to generate transcriptions. Otter.ai has partnered with Zoom which adds transcription abilities to Zoom’s video conferencing software.
Why create an alternative to Otter.ai?
Businesses prefer note-taking tools like Otter.ai as it acts as a fully integrated business communications platform. Also, Unified communications as a service solution (UCaaS can be used instead of repeating steps to set up transcriptions. An example is Dialpad AI for real-time transcriptions in every tier of its paid plans.
Otter.ai offers full email support, live chat, and phone 24/7.
Otter.ai offers the best pricing plans that are cost-effective and value for money. It goes like 600 minutes of free transcription per month, and 30 minutes per meeting. Paid plans start at $8.33 per month, and go up to $20 or more per month. That is half in comparison to the Dialpad subscription, which starts at $15 per user per month.
Speech-to-text transcription app technology stack
The technology stack for a speech-to-text transcription app will vary depending on the specific app and its features, but here are some standard components:
- Audio Input: The app needs a way to capture audio input, typically done through the microphone on the user’s device. The audio input is then digitized and processed as a series of digital samples.
- Speech Recognition Engine: The app uses a speech recognition engine to analyze the audio input and convert it into written text. The engine may use machine learning algorithms to improve its accuracy over time.
- Language Modeling: Once the audio input has been analyzed, the app uses language modeling techniques to determine which words and phrases will most likely be used in the given context. Language models take into account factors such as grammar, syntax, and vocabulary to produce the most accurate transcription possible.
- User Interface: The app needs a user interface that allows users to interact with the app, including recording audio, playing back transcriptions, and making edits as needed.
- Cloud Services: Many transcription apps use cloud-based services for speech recognition and language modeling. This allows the app to leverage powerful computing resources and access large amounts of training data, which can improve the accuracy of the transcriptions.
- APIs and SDKs: Some transcription apps use APIs (application programming interfaces) and SDKs (software development kits) to integrate with other apps and services. This allows users to access the transcription functionality from other apps, such as note-taking apps or productivity tools.
Why is transcription not the same as writing?
It involves more than just typing or writing down words that are being spoken. The intensity of the task depends upon the purpose and the focus. It may be important to convey everything from the stressed syllabus to hesitations and delayed responses.
Which industries frequently use transcription services?
The scope of speech-to-text applications for transcription services is vast and expanding rapidly. Some of the areas where speech-to-text applications for transcription services are being widely used include:
- Business: Business professionals often use speech-to-text transcription services for transcribing meetings, interviews, conference calls, and other audio or video recordings for documentation purposes.
- Legal: Legal professionals often use transcription services to transcribe depositions, court proceedings, and other legal documents.
- Healthcare: Healthcare professionals use speech-to-text transcription services for transcribing medical notes, patient records, and other medical documents.
- Education: Speech-to-text transcription services are increasingly being used in the education sector for transcribing lectures, classes, and other educational content.
- Media: Media professionals use speech-to-text transcription services for transcribing interviews, podcasts, and other audio or video content for publishing or broadcasting.
- Entertainment: Entertainment professionals use transcription services to transcribe scripts, subtitles, and closed captions for movies, TV shows, and other video content.
- Research: Researchers use speech-to-text transcription services for transcribing interviews, focus groups, and other qualitative research data.
Conclusive
Top app development agencies are discovering the benefits of using these services for efficient and accurate transcription of audio or video content across business/corporate, academic, media, medical, entertainment, legal, financial, law enforcement, non-profit, market research, religious, and many more industry domains.