Google Quietly Launches AI Edge Eloquent, a Free Offline Dictation App for iPhone

Google has quietly released a new AI-powered dictation app called AI Edge Eloquent on the iOS App Store, offering free, unlimited voice-to-text transcription that works entirely offline. The app appeared on April 6 with no formal announcement, but it has already attracted attention for its privacy-first approach and polished feature set.

Key Highlights

Fully offline transcription powered by Google's open-source Gemma AI models running directly on the device
Automatic text cleanup that removes filler words like "um" and "ah" and polishes raw speech into well-crafted text
No subscription required with no cap on usage — completely free
Custom vocabulary support that can import names and jargon from your Gmail account

How It Works

AI Edge Eloquent uses Gemma-based automatic speech recognition (ASR) models that are downloaded to your device upon first launch. Once installed, the app processes all audio locally — nothing is sent to Google's servers when offline mode is enabled.

As you speak, the app displays a real-time waveform visualization alongside the live transcription. When you pause, it automatically filters out filler words and cleans up the text. The app also tracks word count and words-per-minute metrics for each session.

Smart Text Transformation

Beyond basic transcription, the app offers several text transformation options:

Key Points — extracts main ideas as bullet points
Formal — rewrites the text in a more professional tone
Short — condenses the transcription
Long — expands on the dictated content

When cloud mode is enabled, these transformations are powered by Google's Gemini models for more sophisticated text processing. In fully offline mode, the on-device Gemma models handle everything locally.

Privacy First

The app's standout feature is its commitment to on-device processing. With the "fully offline" toggle enabled, all audio stays on the device and is never transmitted externally. This makes it particularly appealing for professionals handling sensitive information — lawyers, doctors, journalists, and business executives who need reliable dictation without data privacy concerns.

A Challenge to Apple's Siri

The launch is notable for being an iOS-exclusive release that directly competes with Apple's built-in Siri dictation. While Siri dictation has improved over the years, it still relies on cloud processing for many tasks and lacks the text transformation features that Eloquent offers. Google's decision to launch on iOS first — before its own Android platform — suggests a strategic play to reach users on a platform where the default dictation experience leaves room for improvement.

Availability

Google AI Edge Eloquent is available now as a free download on the iOS App Store. An Android version is referenced in the app listing but has not yet appeared on Google Play. The app is part of Google's broader "AI Edge" initiative, which focuses on bringing powerful AI capabilities directly to user devices without requiring cloud connectivity.

Source: TechCrunch