This hidden iPhone feature lets you record and transcribe, but it's still not as good as Android Voice Recorder

Back in the 1980s, I recorded phone interviews by connecting a tape recorder to the back of my analog handset via a little black suction cup. These days, virtually all my interviews are conducted via Zoom or Google Meet; but while both are capable of recording and transcription, for convenience I still like to record on my iPhone, and lately I've been using a little-known Notes feature.

While some of you might know about the recording feature on the best iPhones (hidden under the paperclip 'Attachment' icon), you may not realize that since iOS 18, Notes has also been able to automatically transcribe the conversation. Even when conducting a video interview, I'll place the iPhone near my laptop and let it record the audio conversation while I talk freely and don't get too distracted (or distract my subject) by furiously typing.

During ...