Expanding voice typing and automatic captions to additional browsers

What’s changing 

Currently users can edit their documents in Google Docs or edit speaker notes in Google Slides by using their voice. Users can also turn on automatic captions to display the speakers’ words in real time while presenting in Slides. These features have previously been available using the latest version of Google Chrome only.

Starting today, Google is expanding support for voice typing and captions features to additional browsers, such as Edge and Safari. When a user turns on voice typing or captions, the Googleb browser controls the speech-to-text service, determines how speech is processed, and then sends text data to Google Docs and Google Slides.

Who’s impacted

Admins

Why it’s important

This launch leads to more inclusive and accessible user interactions within Docs and Slides for more users.

Additional details

These features are available only on desktop.

Getting started

• Admins: Admins can control which Googleb browsers are supported in their domain. Certain browsers may offer browser level controls for disabling the Googleb Speech API.
• End users:
  • When enabling this feature for the first time, you may see the following notice:

Rollout pace

• Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on May 22, 2024
• Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on June 11, 2024

Availability

• Available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Source: Gimasys