Forum Discussion
Microsoft Outlook for iOS and Android: The Dictation feature will retire in September 2024
Hi everyone,
Got an email from Microsoft message centre saying the Dictation feature will be retired in Sept 2024 for iOS and Android devices.
However, according to the MC841218 Admins don't have any option to override this. Any reasons why Microsoft will retire this feature, considering accessibility for end users will be affected?
Also, any advise in how to check, how many users use this feature?
- This decision is a mistake, and it goes against the accessibility effort that Microsoft did so far. I'm tetraplegic 😞
I agree with Charly, this feature needs to be continued. We have people who use this feature and will look to us to provide a solution.
I did ask Copilot for alternatives and got the following but now we need to make sure that these are viable and true alternatives and do not in any way limit or lessen the accessibility to Outlook mobile...
Copilot
If you’re looking for alternatives to the Dictation feature in Outlook Mobile, here are a few options you can consider:
Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard: This keyboard app includes a voice typing feature that works across all apps, including Outlook. It’s available for both Android and iOS.
Google Voice Typing: Available on Android devices, this feature can be used in any app where you can type, including Outlook.
Apple’s Built-in Dictation: For iOS users, Apple’s built-in dictation feature can be used in any app, including Outlook. Just tap the microphone icon on the keyboard to start dictating.
Dragon Anywhere: This is a powerful, professional-grade dictation app available for both Android and iOS. It offers advanced speech recognition and customization options, though it comes with a subscription fee1.
These alternatives should help you continue using voice-to-text functionality even after the Dictation feature in Outlook Mobile is retired.
- Microsoft giveth and Microsoft taketh away. No suggestion on alternatives, just a promoted feature vanishing. I thought they were doing it to sell an additional service or roll it into another reason to purchase Copilot or something, but they are completely unhelpfully opaque with this announcement.
