TikTok logo illustrated on mobile phone held in a hand

How to activate auto scroll on TikTok

by with No Comment Tech

TikTok logo illustrated on mobile phone held in a hand

Image Credits: TikTok

TikTok has been experimenting with an auto scrolling mechanic for months now, allowing you to watch TikTok hands-free.

To use the auto scroll feature, you hold down on a video on TikTok’s For You page – similar to if you want to repost a video – and click the auto scroll button. Your feed will now swipe through videos independently without you having to lift a finger. If you land on a photo post, however, the scrolling will stop until you swipe through all the photos.

To turn off the feature, hold down on your phone screen again and select “Manual scroll.”

Since auto scrolling is still being tested, the feature is only available to a select number of TikTok users. TikTok’s auto scroll has been highly requested among users, with many searching for hacks online to make their daily TikTok viewing experience more efficient. For instance, you can go into your iPhone settings, activate Voice Control and create a command that will swipe up on the screen when you say a phrase of your choosing.

The capability follows in YouTube’s footsteps, which tested an autoplay feature in 2014.

 

Apple Podcasts to get auto-generated transcripts in iOS 17.4

by with No Comment Tech

Image Credits: Primakov / Shutterstock (opens in a new window)

Among the changes in iOS 17.4 is support for auto-generated transcripts in the Apple Podcasts app, making it easier for listeners to follow along to their favorite shows. Transcripts will only appear for English, French, German, and Spanish-language podcasts. It’ll be available in over 170 countries and regions.

Similar to how lyrics work in Apple Music, users can view a live text version of an episode, and the words are highlighted as they listen. Users can also tap anywhere in the transcript to play the episode at that specific spot. To pull up the transcript, users click on the new “quote” icon at the bottom of the Now Playing screen. In addition, there’s a way to view the transcript without listening by holding down on the episode details page and selecting “View Transcript.”

Image Credits: Apple

Every time a new episode is published, a transcript is automatically generated by Apple’s software. Understandably, the company says there will be a “short delay” while it processes the transcript, so it may not show up immediately after the episode is uploaded. Back catalog episodes will get transcriptions “over time,” the company wrote.

Creators can also release their own transcripts by changing the setting in Apple Podcasts Connect within the Availability tab. However, it’s important to note that uploaded transcripts won’t be displayed if it doesn’t meet Apple’s standards. For instance, there should be no spelling or punctuation errors.

The company states that episodes with cross-talk — multiple speaking at the same time — may “limit the quality of the transcription.” Transcripts also aren’t displayed for “explicit episodes” when content restrictions are turned on. Additionally, Apple won’t transcribe music lyrics.

Apple released iOS 17.4 in beta today, with most of the changes affecting EU developers, including a new fee structure, new frameworks and APIs for alternative browser engines, and new options to distribute iOS apps from alternative app stores. iOS 17.4 is expected to be released to the public in March.

Earlier this week, Apple made iOS 17.3 widely available, giving users access to its Stolen Device Protection feature and collaborative playlists for Apple Music.