Aug 19, 2020 - Technology

Otter.ai adds live event transcription

Ina Fried, author of Login

Audio transcription service Otter.ai is expanding into events — both live and virtual — turning conversations into text in real time.

Why it matters: Otter.ai is pitching it as a way for digital events to stand out amid growing competition.

Details: Otter for Events transcribes online events, including Zoom webinars.

  • Real-time transcripts allow for video captioning on the fly and make events more accessible.
  • The service can handle multiple simultaneous break-out sessions, as well as both public and private groups.
  • The company's paid Otter for Teams business customers can access the basic service at no additional cost. A premium service for very large events, either in-person or strictly online, is also available and was recently used at the New York-New Belfast Conference 2020. 

Flashback: Otter.ai previously demoed its ability to transcribe an event at TechCrunch Disrupt back in 2018.

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Alison Snyder, author of Science
Sep 24, 2020 - Science

During COVID-19 shutdown, a common sparrow changed its song

White-crowned sparrow. Photo: Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

When San Francisco hushed during coronavirus shutdowns earlier this year, a common songbird responded by changing its tune.

Why it matters: Earlier work found birds alter their songs to compensate for urban noise. This study suggests they are "adaptable enough to shift back if noise pollution is removed," says Ken Otter, an ornithologist at the University of Northern British Columbia who wasn't involved in the study.

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Axios
28 mins ago - Axios on HBO

Preview: "Axios on HBO" interviews Bob Woodward

On the next episode of "Axios on HBO," journalist Bob Woodward tells Axios National Political Correspondent Jonathan Swan why he spoke out about President Trump being the "wrong man for the job."

  • "I did not want to join the ranks of the Senate Republicans who know that Trump is the wrong man for the job, but won't say it publicly," Woodward said.

Catch the full interview on Monday, Sept. 28 at 11 p.m. ET/PT on all HBO platforms.

Axios
Updated 37 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 10 a.m. ET: 32,601,345 — Total deaths: 989,761 — Total recoveries: 22,512,527 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 10 a.m. ET: 7,034,824 — Total deaths: 203,789 — Total recoveries: 2,727,335 — Total tests: 99,488,275 — Map.
  3. States: "We’re not closing anything going forward": Florida fully lifts COVID restaurant restrictions.
  4. Health: Young people accounted for 20% of cases this summer.
  5. Business: Coronavirus has made airports happier places — The expiration of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance looms.
  6. Education: Summer college enrollment offers a glimpse of COVID-19's effect.
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