Microsoft is working on an update for its Outlook email service (opens in new tab) that will give users more options for composing messages on Android devices.
According to a new entry (opens in new tab) in the company’s product roadmap, Outlook (opens in new tab) users will soon be able to dictate email messages, as well as calendar appointment and meeting content, instead of relying on their touchscreen keyboard.
Already available for desktop and iOS devices, Outlook speech-to-text (opens in new tab) functionality is set to be extended to Android by the end of the month.
- Here's our list of the best email clients (opens in new tab) right now
- We've built a list of the best email marketing software (opens in new tab) on the market
- Check out our list of the best email hosting providers (opens in new tab) around
Speech-to-text in Outlook
Once dictation mode is live, users will be able to activate the feature by tapping on the microphone icon above the keyboard. A large blue version of the same icon indicates the mode is active and the user can begin to dictate.
There are two options for punctuating messages: a command-based system (whereby users say “period”, “colon” etc. out loud) and an auto punctuation feature. While the former method is likely to be more precise, the latter option allows users to dictate freely without interrupting their flow.
Although some might argue dictation is slower and less convenient than typing out a message, especially given the opportunity for inaccuracies, proponents of speech-to-text often say dictation becomes second nature after a while.
And in any case, the availability of speech-to-text functionality across all devices is not just about convenience, it’s also an important accessibility upgrade for users whose dexterity is limited by a medical condition.
In these scenarios, the new feature will ensure that all Outlook users are able to compose email messages effectively, whether at home or on the move.
- We've built a list of the best collaboration tools (opens in new tab) out there
