Apple iCloud Voicemail transcription in development

iCloud picture

Apple is apparently developing a voicemail transcription service that will answer phone calls and convert messages into text.

These messages will then be uploaded to iCloud and sent to users via email (or presumably iMessage) for you to read when they're free, instead of having to listen a message and try and decipher what the person on the other end of the line is saying.

Apparently, the system can also tell people why a user is unavailable (such as being in a meeting, or on holiday or will be away for a certain period of time) so the caller can tailor their message accordingly.

The news comes via Business Insider, which reported the service could launch in winter 2016.

The report claimed many people, including those of younger generations, prefer using text rather than voice and so this feature would appeal to them specifically.

It added a number of Apple employees are already testing what it calls iCloud Voicemail and it will be released inside iOS 10 rather than the upcoming iOS 9 that will be released later this year.

However, don't be disheartened that it's not coming this year - Apple has already announced Siri will be upgraded when iOS 9 launches, including adding the ability to search within third-party applications and guess what you're going to do next, even further reducing the amount of time it takes you to do anything on an iPhone, iPad or iPod.

Clare Hopping
Freelance writer

Clare is the founder of Blue Cactus Digital, a digital marketing company that helps ethical and sustainability-focused businesses grow their customer base.

Prior to becoming a marketer, Clare was a journalist, working at a range of mobile device-focused outlets including Know Your Mobile before moving into freelance life.

As a freelance writer, she drew on her expertise in mobility to write features and guides for ITPro, as well as regularly writing news stories on a wide range of topics.