Zoom Auto-Generated Captions Feature Now Available For Free Accounts

Video Communications platform Zoom announces the extension of its auto-generated closed captions features to all users on the free account. The feature is one that subtitles whenever a Zoom video call is ongoing, this feature was only available to paid Zoom users. So if it’s a Zoom video call or a webinar, the subtitle feature is an option any user can enable going forward. Asides from the auto-generates closed captions addition, the California-based video conferencing platform has also introduced a wide range of new accessibility features. New features are now available on Zoom includes on including keyboard shortcuts, pinning interpreter video, screen reader support, and voicemail transcription.

The video conferencing platform made these announcements known via a blog post, Zoom says users will be able to access the new feature only via Zoom for Web. The Closed captioning option can be found under the Meetings tab in the Accounts Management settings. For detailed steps on how to enable your live transcription feature, please check here.

The company said that the captions feature is only available in English for now, it plans to expand to other languages in the future. It also added that supports manual captioning as well as integration from third-party captioning services is also available. The new feature can be activated by the meeting host and participants in a video call can privately request the host to activate closed captions from the meeting toolbar.

Zoom in a bid to make its service more accessible to users, the company has also introduced a few accessibility features that will make the video conferencing experience seamless and easier to use. These new accessibility features include multi-spotlight, multi-pinning, and the ability to rearrange the gallery view. Furthermore, Zoom didn’t stop there, users now have the ability to adjust the size of the chat and the closed captions feature. Easier navigation with keyboard shortcuts and screen reader support has also been introduced to enhance the experience. In addition, there are a few new accessibility features categorized under voicemail transcription, text formatting, dark mode, focus mode, and the ability to mute or unmute participants with their consent. So many exciting experiences from the teleconferencing platform whose free plan allows up to 100 concurrent participants, with a 40-minute time restriction. Unsatisfied with the 40-minutes time restriction, users have the option of upgrading to a paid plan.

Last year during the pandemic and the world was getting used to the style of working remotely, Zoom was one of the several video conferencing platforms that rose to the top, helping people stay connected virtually while practicing the social distancing culture. Loads of businesses and individuals immediately embraced the video conferencing platform. Zoom moved from an average of 10 million daily active users back in December 2019 to a whopping 200 million daily active users.