Technology has completely changed the way we communicate. Our iPhones are like the central hubs of our social lives, and many of us are glued to the screen. With options like texting, video chat, and social media apps to choose from, it’s no wonder that the bevy of modern communication modalities have largely replaced the old-school phone call.
One communication trend on the rise is voice notes, also called voice memos. This audio recording app is built into iOS, allowing you to make and send short voice messages without having to call.
Just how prevalent are they? A Preply survey found that 2 in 3 Americans actively use voice notes to communicate, with 40% hailing them as the new phone call.
With Apple’s confirmation that the upcoming iOS 17 will let users transcribe voice memos, it’s clear that this trendy app is here to stay. So, what makes voice memos so appealing to Americans? Read on to find out!
When Americans Use Voice Notes
iPhone users of all ages use voice notes. Gen Z uses them the most (84%), followed by millennials (63%), with Gen X (56%) and baby boomers (47%) not too far behind them.
51% of respondents say they send them to friends, mostly to express complex thoughts (48%) and deep emotions (31%), or at a time when it would be difficult to text, like while driving (44%) or in a hurry (44%).
Why Americans Use Voice Notes
As the reasons given above indicate, voice memos are a great way to express something that’s difficult to convey through texting, whether it’s because the thought or feeling is too complex or because it’s not convenient to text.
Voice notes can also capture things that are often lost with texting, like tone, intonation, and emotion, or subtle nonverbal cues. 61% of respondents agree that it’s easier to convey tone through voice memos rather than written text.
A personal touch can also just make the experience feel more connected—something at least 34% of users want more of in their lives. For example, it might be more fun to trade jokes with a friend when you can actually hear each other laughing.
With social media users becoming more driven to find authentic experiences through technology, it’s clear how voice memos can help serve this need. Half of the participants in the Preply survey say voice notes have made their relationships stronger, while 38% say the memos make them feel less lonely.
The Downsides Americans See With Voice Notes
Although there are a lot of great things about voice memos, they have their downsides. Namely, 30% of Americans admit to feeling annoyed or inconvenienced when receiving a voice note. Millennials feel the most inconvenienced (37%), followed by Gen Z (31%), Gen X (20%), and baby boomers (12%).
68% report that they often need to listen to a voice note more than once to fully understand and respond appropriately, which might be why nearly half of users believe they require more effort than a traditional typed text message. Some users also expressed other worries, like eavesdropping or privacy concerns (41%) and interference from background noise (34%).
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As voice notes keep gaining popularity, big companies like Apple are trying to keep up with what users want. iOS updates that cater to voice note users are proof of just how widespread they are. So, if you’re not already using them to make chatting with friends and family a little more “human,” you might want to try them out!
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