Google Voice Transcript Test (not even close…)

I’ve been playing with Google Voice over the last week or so, and although there’s some minor issues overall it’s awesome. I finally decided it was time to test the so called “feature” of Google Voice being able to transcribe your voicemail, and then email or send a text message with the content. I was almost sure it would be no better than other voice recognition technologies and my suspicions were quickly confirmed.

This is the default welcome message from Google Voice:

Welcome to Google Voice! Google Voice gives you a single phone number that rings all your phones, saves your voicemail online, and transcribes your voicemail to text. Other cool features include the ability to listen in on messages while they are being left and the ability to make low cost international calls. To start enjoying Google Voice, just give out your Google Voice number. You can record custom greetings for your favorite callers or block annoying callers by marking them as SPAM. Just click on the settings link at the top of your inbox. We hope you enjoy Google Voice.

It seemed like it would be a good test to read back the default message as a voicemail. The results were somewhat comical…

welcome to google police google flight gives you pricing ball phone number is it rings all your phones states your voicemail online and transcribes your voicemail to tax other cool features include the abilities i’ll listen in on messages whether being left and the ability did make will cost international call to start i’m showing google place just give al your google voicemail number you can recall court custom greetings for your favorite callers or block annoying callers bite marking them is spam just click on the settings the link at the top of your inbox we hope you enjoy a google point.

Although I feel if anyone can make this feature work it’s Google. Currently,  it’s just not at an usable state. If I got a text message with this transcript I can’t say I would have any idea what to do. Furthermore, I don’t think I would have enough confidence with Google’s transcript to actually call back a phone number that was given in a voicemail. As I mentioned before though if anyone can do it, it’s Google. I’m waiting to see what other features they roll out as the beta goes public.

Unrelated note: Currently it costs $10.00 to change your Google Voice number, so take your time and pick a number you really want.