New Sprint service transcribes conversation to web in real time

Sprint is rolling out WebCapTel, an extension of its existing CapTel service that shows hard-of-hearing callers what the person on the other end is saying in real time -- but this time around, special equipment isn't needed. As its name implies, WebCapTel works through any web browser using any phone, turning the call into text quickly enough so that callers are able to respond naturally and with their own voice. Pretty darned cool; in fact, we think we're going to give it a try ourselves to see how it does. It's available now for calls within the US, and even better, it's free.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 5th 2008 4:03PM]

Currently does not work. The activation email gives a link but the link reads

https://www.sprintcaptel.com/activate.asp?h=WebCaptel registration is full. Please check again at a later date.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 5th 2008 4:13PM]

The 3-letter agencies are tweaking the implementation.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 5th 2008 6:40PM]

Wow, I have to say I am impressed with Sprint offering this, and free at that.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 5th 2008 8:48PM]

You guys realize that there is an actual person doing the transcription, don't you?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 9th 2008 12:59AM]

Ohhhhh.... that's why Sprint's customer care is so bad. Those people are actually multitasking, transcribing a call on one line while they do their best to not resolve your problem on the other line.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 1:10AM]

It's not two separate lines, though. They're actually wearing stereo headphones. So they hear the call they have to transcribe in one ear, and they hear you calling to complain about their crappy service in their other ear.