New AI Tool Transcribes WhatsApp Voice Messages Automatically

AI expert Tomer Cohen has developed Ramble, an open-source tool designed to automatically transcribe WhatsApp voice messages directly within the chat interface. The tool aims to solve the common problem of users disliking listening to lengthy voice messages while preferring to send them. Ramble transcribes messages within seconds, displaying the text below the audio recording, allowing both sender and receiver to read the content without leaving the conversation.

Cohen, who has two decades of experience in high-tech and specializes in AI product development, was inspired to create Ramble by his own frustration with the WhatsApp voice message experience. "I hate listening to voice messages, but I really like sending them," Cohen stated. He envisioned a tool that would seamlessly transcribe every voice message without requiring manual intervention like forwarding or exiting the chat.

The Ramble tool, built using Claude Code and Codex, was initially developed rapidly, highlighting the current ease of achieving significant progress with AI. The transcription process involves connecting to WhatsApp via a QR code or phone number, similar to WhatsApp Web. The original audio remains available, and the transcriptions are not stored by the system, with the code being open-source on GitHub.

Initially developed for personal use, Cohen realized the broader appeal of Ramble after sharing it on LinkedIn and receiving positive feedback. He noted that existing transcription tools, like Eliezer, were less effective due to the extra steps required, such as forwarding messages to a separate chat, which he believes deterred users. Notably, Ramble's launch coincides with challenges faced by Eliezer, which had to move its transcription service to Telegram due to increased costs from Meta, leading to user attrition.

Currently, Ramble is free to use, with a daily limit of 30 minutes of transcription. Cohen stated that while the service is currently free and he doesn't expect to profit significantly, future usage might incur costs if it becomes too popular, as it incurs expenses for him. He is working on improving transcription quality and reducing costs, with potential future features to be added based on user needs. Cohen anticipates that Meta will eventually allow more seamless integration of AI assistants like Ramble into WhatsApp, as it will become increasingly difficult to block such services.