Sprint is rolling out WebCapTel, an extension of its existing CapTel service that shows hard-of-hearing callers what the person on the other end is saying in real time -- but this time around, special equipment isn't needed. As its name implies, WebCapTel works through any web browser using any phone, turning the call into text quickly enough so that callers are able to respond naturally and with their own voice. Pretty darned cool; in fact, we think we're going to give it a try ourselves to see how it does. It's available now for calls within the US, and even better, it's free.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ari Moshe @ Mar 5th 2008 4:03PM
Currently does not work. The activation email gives a link but the link reads
https://www.sprintcaptel.com/activate.asp?h=WebCaptel registration is full. Please check again at a later date.
Norris Shelton @ Mar 5th 2008 4:13PM
The 3-letter agencies are tweaking the implementation.
Codey H. @ Mar 5th 2008 6:40PM
Wow, I have to say I am impressed with Sprint offering this, and free at that.
Jeremy W @ Mar 5th 2008 8:48PM
You guys realize that there is an actual person doing the transcription, don't you?
Michael S @ Mar 9th 2008 12:59AM
Ohhhhh.... that's why Sprint's customer care is so bad. Those people are actually multitasking, transcribing a call on one line while they do their best to not resolve your problem on the other line.
Jeremy W @ Mar 6th 2008 1:10AM
It's not two separate lines, though. They're actually wearing stereo headphones. So they hear the call they have to transcribe in one ear, and they hear you calling to complain about their crappy service in their other ear.