I’ve been using Google Voice for about a month now and it’s seriously the bee’s knees; fully loaded with an impressive array of features that make telecommunications a much different experience altogether for me. I do, however,  have to keep in mind that it’s still in development because there are a few quirks and bugs in the works, but not one of them are as much fun as the voicemail transcription feature.

In theory, when someone leaves you a voicemail, Google Voice transcribes it so you can then read it via email or SMS text message. The problem is that the software behind it has a hard time translating everything properly due to many possible factors. Some people talk too fast or don’t enunciate clearly or maybe the quality of the call itself is bad. Under perfect circumstances the feature may work flawlessly, but it’s the flaws that I absolutely love.

Here are few examples of transcriptions that just really didn’t work out:

“Well at least you’re not battling aliens are really in front of your send more. At least you could be thankful for that. That would really suck around the holidays. Gimme a car that you know he Christmas cookies and renegade not when you’re you know blasted away at it and then a lease or something. It would be a little annoying. So when you get a chance…”

“Hey, I’m sitting on the front, Hello, this is a center. I will call. Gimme a call. There…”

“IN the correct that’ll to do the trick going on. Okay dude that videos. Best, gimme a call. See you…”

“Many could use our Morgan your voicemail message. Hey it’s meet one whatever you’d like when you want to get together for like going to make it for the people of streets. Gimme a call. Talk to you later. Bye…”

“I think you can. The quality of my work is gone down not work. Responding to or something. Anyway, I just called for a will fix but I guess you’re you’re up to one. Judith the kids or your throw one salami at the Y phone. Woo has allowed. Anyway, I’ll talk to you soon…”

When you rate a transcript, you will be asked whether you would like to donate the message to improve the service.

No worries though, Google has this problem under control (of course). On December 10th, the Google Voice blog announced a ratings-based feedback option. At the bottom of each message is a question: Transcription useful? After checking yes or no you are then asked if they can use the message to improve the service. I oblige when feasible but I’m hoping they don’t improve it too much. I need the laughs.

My wife did however point out that this feature would offer no benefit whatsoever to the hearing impaired at present. It would only confuse the hell out of them so I will forfeit the laughs for their sake I suppose.

Google always does great work (I’m a BIG fan) and I’m definitely not complaining. Just having a laugh. If you have some hilarious Google Voice transcripts gone bad please share them in the comments section below! You may have also noticed that I have added a Call Me feature in the sidebar to the right, which is powered by Google Voice. Give it a test drive.

While we’re on the subject, are you currently using Google Voice? If so, what has your experience been like so far? What improvements would you make?

To learn more about Google Voice go to http://www.google.com/googlevoice. Currently, sign ups are by invitation only. The best way to get an invite? Ask for one on Twitter, Facebook, or Craigslist.

For more transcriptions gone bad and to submit your own, check out the Google Voice Fail blog at http://gvoicefail.tumblr.com

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