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Comment by cl0rkster | Hacker News Reader

There are already some novel applications of this. It is extremely useful to use Google's screening service for unknown numbers that might be a call I'm expecting from a new number. I can't recall the last time I actually listened to a voicemail. I know that at least voicemail transcription works elsewhere, and I can't speak to how well, but I do know that on the Pixel, transcription is really quite impressively accurate.

I'm sure it's not much different than the test shown in the twitter post, but I've enjoyed calling myself from another phone and then screening the call and doing my best micro machines guy fast-talking impression just to see how well it really can transcribe conversation at real-time speeds.

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Call screening has saved me so much time that it's one of the main things stopping me from switching to iPhone.

iPhones have had speech to text for voicemails for years. Long enough that I can't remember a time without them.

That's quite different from call screening, where it actually picks up the call for you and transcribes what they're saying live and you can choose to pick up the call or ignore it based on their reply.

Sadly only available if your carrier supports it. Here in the Netherlands it doesn’t work with one of the largest carriers (Vodafone) for example. I also don’t know if it’s still English-only.

Is voicemail popularity some US thing? I actually don't know anybody who uses it.

I don’t expect voicemail from other human beings, but I do expect it from my bank, my doctor, the government, my landlord, my plumber, my child’s school, the repair shop my car is in, etc. For local in-person-visitsble companies, a phone call is still the #1 way they update you on things. And, as they make most of these update calls while everyone is at work, inevitably these calls all become voice messages.

At least in Western Europe, there is near zero chance you’ll get an unexpected call from any of those. Either you’re the one calling, or updates will be sent via email / message / WhatsApp / some specialized app. Probably another efficiency consequence of human labor being insanely expensive.

I'm in the UK, and my dentist and doctor both communicate by phone, including appointment reminders. The garage I use has a website but no email, and they call if you're waiting on a part (not exactly unexpected but close enough). My car insurance and home insurance and bank (much to my dismay) all semi-regularly phone me, each of the ones Ivr listed I've had an unplanned phone call from in the last 6-12 months

And on the other side, in the US I still expect calls and voicemails like was suggested, but the two bike repair shops I frequent and my dentist have switched to texting, while my medical provider emails.

It's very common with people around and over roughly 40. We weren't raised on texting and social media. Usage of voicemail only goes up with the age of my friends. Vocal communication is very efficient when clarity is important.

+1 on this, plus it's very well integrated and backed by audio when in doubt.

My iPhone transcribes voicemails so slowly that most times it's faster and easier to just listen to it.

That describes perfectly most interactions with Siri

Is it worth the hassle to try and stand a reasonable chance of failure, and then also have to do it manually, or should I just skip to the chase and do it myself.

Unless I’m setting a timer, probably just do it myself.

I enabled Type-to-Siri in accessibility, mostly for asking what song is playing.

You can still Hey Siri for voice.

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