Google is always on the forefront when it comes to innovation and improving user experience. One of the latest features that Google is rolling out is called “Listen to this page,” available within the Android Chrome browser. This feature allows users to have webpages read out loud to them, making it easier to consume content while on-the-go.
The “Listen to this page” feature comes with playback controls that are familiar to music or podcast players. Users have the ability to pause, change the reading speed, scrub forward or backward, and skip ahead or back by 10 seconds at a time. Additionally, users can customize the voice and language used for the reading, with support for languages such as English, French, German, Arabic, Hindi, and Spanish.
To access the “Listen to this page” feature, users simply need to navigate to a webpage with a substantial amount of text, tap the three dots menu, and select the “Listen to this page” option. This option should be located just below the Translate feature. Alternatively, users can utilize Google Assistant to have webpages read out loud, with the ability to translate into other languages. However, opting for this option will redirect users to the Google app, whereas the new feature keeps users within their Chrome browser.
While Google’s “Listen to this page” feature is certainly innovative, Safari for the iPhone offers a similar feature called “Listen to Page.” This feature also reads webpages aloud but in Siri’s voice, with comparable controls to Google’s feature. It’s worth mentioning that the author only encountered Google’s new option while using the beta version of Chrome, as Google typically rolls out its features in phases.
As technology continues to advance, it’s exciting to see how companies like Google are enhancing the way we interact with the web. Features like “Listen to this page” cater to users who prefer auditory experiences or have accessibility needs that demand a different way of consuming content. This marks a positive step towards a more inclusive and convenient web browsing experience for all users.
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