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Apple\u2019s first-party Podcasts app is getting support for transcripts in the forthcoming iOS 17.4 update. The company says<\/a> transcripts will be automatically generated by Apple\u2019s software, will appear for English, French, German, and Spanish-language podcasts shortly after they\u2019re uploaded, and will be viewable across \u201cover 170 countries and regions.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The feature should make it far easier to find and skip to the point in a podcast you\u2019re most interested in. Transcripts can be searched for specific words and phrases which can be tapped to go directly to the corresponding point in the episode. You can also read along with a transcript as an episode plays, and watch each word be highlighted as it\u2019s said out loud. Per 9to5Mac<\/em><\/a>, the feature is accessible via a new \u201cquote\u201d icon in the app\u2019s bottom toolbar.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Although Apple\u2019s software is able to auto-generate transcripts, it says podcasters can provide their own transcripts. Alternatively they can download and edit one of Apple\u2019s auto-generated transcripts before re-uploading it. Although Apple\u2019s transcripts will cover spoken words, the company says it won\u2019t transcribe music lyrics. Transcripts for back catalog episodes will be \u201cadded over time.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n