In the 1980s, I used a tape recorder to capture phone interviews by connecting it to my analog handset. Today, most of my interviews are conducted via Zoom or Google Meet. However, for convenience, I often record on my iPhone using a lesser-known feature in the Notes app.
While many are aware of the recording option on the best iPhones (found under the paperclip 'Attachment' icon), few realize that since iOS 18, Notes can also automatically transcribe conversations. During video interviews, I place my iPhone near my laptop to record audio while I engage freely without the distraction of typing.
For in-person interviews, Notes serves as an excellent backup for my notes. With Apple Intelligence, it can quickly summarize conversations; for instance, it condensed a recent 29-minute recording into three concise paragraphs. While this is useful, I often need the full conversation to extract all the important quotes.
With the transcription displayed on-screen, I can tap any word to jump to that moment in the conversation, which is crucial since the transcription isn't always perfectly accurate. Additionally, there's a significant limitation: Notes does not identify speakers.
This becomes problematic during interviews with multiple participants. While I can re-listen to the audio and label the speakers myself, I often prefer using a different mobile recording and transcription tool.
Android's free Voice Recorder is available on nearly all modern Android devices, including the best Google Pixel Phones, Samsung Galaxy S25, and foldables like my Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Not only is the recording generally as accurate, if not more so than iPhone Notes, but it can also identify multiple speakers. Although they are labeled as 'Speaker 1', 'Speaker 2', etc., this consistency makes it easier to scan the transcription for key quotes and details. Like Notes, I can tap on any word to play that part of the recording and verify the transcription.
Additionally, my Galaxy Z Fold 7 can utilize Galaxy AI to provide a more organized and comprehensive summary of recordings.
While not everyone has access to multiple devices, for many users, the iPhone Notes transcription feature may suffice. I anticipate that Apple will enhance subject identification and improve AI summary capabilities in future iOS updates.