I recently signed up for Jott after watching a video with some guy named Robert Scoble interviewing the developers. The idea behind Jott is that you call a toll free number and leave a short message of 15 seconds. According to the video, you have 30 seconds; but the website says 15. Whatever the case, once you leave your message and hang up, you’ll get an email with your transcribed message shortly thereafter. You can also log in to the website to listen to your recording in case your Jott did not transcribe correctly.
According to the interview, Jott uses speech recognition to try to transcribe your memo. If that fails, they have a call center overseas that specializes in transcriptions. The employees will listen to your message and write your note. Many of the employees have worked transcribing for doctors and lawyers. They operate in a clean desk without pencils or papers. In addition, when they hear your message, they have no clue who you are to protect your privacy.
Jason Echols over at Blackbeltproductivity also uses Jott:
I commute to work about 60 miles round-trip a day. A lot of “stuff” pops into my head on those commutes. Jott allows me to hit a speed dial key that calls a toll-free number, leave a voice message to myself (or anyone else in my contact list).
For me, Jott fixes one problem that I have with voice memos on a recorder, you have to take the time to go through and transcribe these notes into your organizing system. Using Jott, you won’t have to make your own transcriptions. On the one hand, it’s convenient to record your thoughts on your own device; on the other hand, it’s a pain to transcribe for yourself if you have lots of great ideas. Jott takes care of the latter part. All you have to do is have brilliant ideas and call them in. Once you are back at your computer, you’ll get cut and pastable (that’s a word I just invented) email.
The only suggestion I would have for the founders of Jott is that they add a “local” number to their service. I cannot add a toll-free number to myFaves, so I end up using my mobile minutes. I know it costs them money for each call. If they have an optional non toll-free number to call, it would not cost either of us. I imagine they went for a toll-free number because of the need for caller ID. When you call a toll-free number, your caller ID block is disabled for billing purposes. They need this so that the Jott system will recognize you and send your message to the right account. If you had to call in and enter your account number, you might lose the inspiration for your voice memo; this would ruin any advantage to using their service. In my case, however, I don’t block my caller ID; which makes a toll-free number pointless and expensive for Jott.
3 Comments
I’m glad people are finding out about this thing! Jott is an amazing app and I found useful in many ways other than note taking! For example, I use it to remember guitar riffs when I’m away from my guitar! It sounds silly but it works! Although I have to admit that no transcription goes through but you still get the audio in your email and that is enough for me!
As for your concern about the local numbers, they may change that when they release their business model of jott, which they will be charging for. (don’t worry, the free version will be up still!)
Hey, Keith. Thanks for sharing. That’s a great idea to use Jott to remember music.
I have learned, since this post, that there is a local number you can call. You can call 347-523-8843 to use Jott. This way, you can add Jott to your “unlimited” numbers, if your phone plan supports it.
Sounds like a great little tool.
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