Microsoft’s latest Garage App group is for recording transcription

Microsoft’s latest Garage App, the company’s brand for more experimental apps, is Group Transact, which allows groups of people to capture real-time mass meeting transcription using their phones. It is available for free now on iOS.

“This app uses a multi-device approach to provide real-time, high-quality transcription and translation, so users can be more present and productive during in-meetings and conversations,” Microsoft’s Laney Huston Said in a blog post

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Here’s how it works. Everyone who wants to participate in group transcription will have to download the group transcription app. Then, one person turns off a transcription, and they can invite others to join the group transcription by sharing a five-letter conversation code, a QR code, or with nearby sharing over Bluetooth.

Then, the app will begin to describe the group’s interactions, seeing who said what. Group transcription can also line up the auto-translating things people say as part of transcription. Transcriptions are saved in the application so that you can review or share them after a meeting.

Here’s a screenshot and what the transcription looks like:

Picture: Microsoft

Microsoft suggests that everyone attending the meeting should use their own phone “within arm’s reach” for “the highest quality experience”. And in An FAQ. [with] Maximum 4 people. “

Microsoft does not need to sign in with any type of account to use the app – all you have to do is enter your name and your preferred language. The application sends data to the cloud as part of the transcription and speaker recognition process, but Microsoft lets you choose if you want to share a meeting recording with the company, which will help improve Microsoft’s speech recognition technology. And if you are doing a group transcription, everyone in the group has to agree to share the recording before sharing one with Microsoft.

You can read more about the application and its privacy features Microsoft Frequently Asked Questions.