First and foremost I feel it’s relevant to mention that the tool in question for this week’s review was not my initial choice - another app featured in last week’s newsletter had that illustrious honour… but it has since started charging for use, and seeing as there are a few similar free apps to it available, it did put me off somewhat… That being said, it may be a blessing in disguise. That turn of events led me to my second choice, the voice messenger service: ‘Echo’ - and it’s really quite good! 

Unlike many voice messenger services such as Whatsapp and Viber, Echo’s target demographic is professional workspaces, particularly fast-paced/on-the-go industries or for those who work remotely. During such a difficult and unsocial time, this app in their words, wants to “foster human relationships”. The feel for this tool is immediately friendly, but professional and with its ability to synchronise with Slack (our chosen internal comms platform), your work chats are instant and already set up! Simply select the individual or group you want to message, and talk into your microphone, a voice note will be sent instantly to the recipient - and here’s the techy and very impressive bit - an accompanying text message matching what you spoke will be attached to your note! 

The transcription tool used to turn your voice note into a text did have a few ghosts in the machine however, some words were slightly off the mark i.e. “one” came out as “home”… I do have a Scouse accent though, so some benefit of the doubt is given! All in all though this service is fun, fresh and a welcome service to expedite virtual professional comms!

Echo is free to use until the end of 2020. After that it is free for up to 5 individuals within a team, and if your professional needs are greater - it will be a fairly modest sum of £4 a month for unlimited messaging. Many non-professional messaging services are free though so this is something to consider…

We’ve all been caught out in the rain frantically thumbing the screen trying to send a text before the phone’s imminent death, that’s where Echo comes in. Virtually hands-free, and a modern approach to chatter with your colleagues, keeping relations feeling authentic and personal. The only downsides are the imperfect transcriptions… and the fee… and with that I grant Echo a score of

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼/5.